Khyber Kim has been ruled out of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle later this month, but he is still on course for an intriguing clash with reigning Champion Hurdler Punjabi.

An impressive winner of the Grade Three Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies was initially keen to head Gosforth Park on Saturday week for the Grade One event. However, the race comes too soon for the seven-year-old, who is best when he has plenty of time between his races.

Nicky Henderson's decision to re-route Punjabi to the Grade Two Boylesports International Hurdle at Cheltenham on 12 December has been mirrored by Twiston-Davies.

The Naunton trainer said: "Khyber Kim has taken his race well and we were delighted with him.

"He had an entry in the Fighting Fifth because it can be a weak race, but we've decided against that so he won't go there. Instead, we're likely to go back to Cheltenham for the Boylesports International Hurdle, because he likes it round there."

Henderson feels Binocular is further forward than Punjabi at this stage of the season and, as a result, the Champion Hurdle third will replace him in the Fighting Fifth having originally been targeted at the Boylesports Hurdle himself.

Henderson said: "Following work on Tuesday, and having spoken to both lots of owners, the plan is to swap Punjabi and Binocular around.Both horses are in good form and both worked great.

"But Binocular is the more ready of the two. Punjabi has not suffered a setback, it just makes sense to switch him and Binocular around."

The pair are due to school at Henderson's Lambourn base today, with Henderson also eyeing a racecourse gallop for Punjabi next weekend.

He added: "I would ideally like Punjabi to have a racecourse gallop prior to Cheltenham and we are hoping, with Newbury's permission, to do so on Hennessy weekend, which would put him spot on."

Henderson also revealed that World Hurdle runner-up Punchestowns will make his chasing debut at Newbury. Judy Wilson's six-year-old is as short as 10-1 second favourite for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next March.

Henderson said: "I'm delighted with him. All being well he's set to run in a two-and-a-half-mile novices' chase on Saturday week."

Lawrie Inman's two high-profile horses Coordinated Cut and Monitor Closely are to leave Peter Chapple-Hyam and join Michael Bell.

Monitor Closely won the Great Voltigeur while Coordinated Cut was well backed for the 2010 Derby before flopping in the Racing Post Trophy. Bell, who has also inherited another juvenile, Strong Vigilance, said: "They are very welcome."