Nicky Henderson admits Punjabi is likely to need the run as he has his first start since Boxing Day in Saturday's Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.

The six-year-old made a winning reappearance in the "Fighting Fifth" Hurdle at Wetherby back in December but suffered a crashing fall when sent off favourite for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton next time.

Punjabi suffered no ill effects from that tumble and Henderson is just thankful he will get another run before a likely tilt at next month's Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

"It's very difficult to tell where we are with him because we've been pretty restricted as to what we can do because of the weather," said Henderson.

"We've had to do all the schooling in the indoor school and you can't exactly tell how a horse is working but in fairness, he seems very well.

"He is a very stuffy horse and I know it was pretty soft when he won at Wetherby but it is going to pretty horrible on Saturday I would think.

"While with Binocular it would never matter one jot whether he would have a run between Christmas and March, this horse must have a run.

"He had as good a chance as any when he fell in the Christmas Hurdle and he has won the Fighting Fifth so there you go."

Punjabi is set to face eight runners in the Grade Two contest with champion trainer Paul Nicholls fielding both Five Dream and Takeroc.

Charlie Longsdon's Songe and David Pipe's Ashkazar are both interesting contenders, while the line-up is completed by Whiteoak, Ashley Brook, Simply Blue and Helens Vision.

David Pipe hopes Ashkazar can bounce back to form following a disappointing reappearance at Ascot, but accepts the five-year-old has plenty on his plate.

"Obviously he's badly in on official ratings but we've got to go somewhere," said the Nicholashayne trainer.

"He's won round Wincanton in the soft ground, so it shouldn't cause any problems for him. He's in good form."