Sometimes in the racing game you’ve got to be looking for an angle to gain an edge over those bookie chaps and, ahead of Punjabi’s bid to land Haydock’s Sportingbet.com Champion Hurdle Trial on Saturday, I think I’ve found one, writes Elliot Slater.

Although the final declarations have yet to be made (at the time of writing), it appears certain that there will only be a small field for this Grade 2 affair and that that defending champion hurdler Punjabi is an intended starter.

Looking at the possible opposition only Medermit jumps out as a likely danger at the weights, even though former champion Sublimity is, theoretically, in with a decent shout. Nicky Henderson has stated that Zaynar (who would be a massive danger) will not run and the remaining entrants simply don’t look anywhere near good enough.

I’ve been saying for a while (and backing it up with hard cash) that I believe Punjabi will retain his crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March. I’m expecting the Raymond Tooth-owned gelding, who to my eyes shaped very well until blowing up on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham races last month, to cement his claims with a good performance at the Lancashire track.

I really believe that if you back Punjabi before the Haydock race you will be in a position (should you choose) to lay off for much of your entire stake, at what will be much shorter odds after he wins. At 12.5 on Betfair and 10/1 with the regular bookies, Punjabi could be cut to only 5 or 6/1 should he prevail on Saturday.

The opportunity is clear – grab it with both hands.