ZARKANDAR (IRE)
- 6 b g Azamour (IRE) – Zarkasha (IRE) (Kahyasi)
- Form: 111/15F–111
- Owner: Chris Giles & Potensis Limited
- Breeder: His Highness The Aga Khan's Studs S C
Summary
Half-brother to 2008 Horse Of The Year on the Flat Zarkava; won once from three starts on the Flat in France.
Leading juvenile hurdler during 2010/2011 season, winning the JCB Triumph Hurdle at The Festival and a Grade One at Aintree. Won a very competitive Betfair Hurdle on his reappearance last season but could only finish fifth in the Stan James Champion Hurdle at The Festival after an interrupted preparation.
Unbeaten in three starts this season, winning a pair of Grade Twos at Wincanton either side of a game two-length success from Grandouet in the Grade Two Stan James International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December.
Jump Race Record: Starts: 9; Wins: 7; 2nd: -; 3rd: -; Win & Place Prize Money: £363,444
Last Run
Won Grade Two Kingwell Hurdle over two miles by four and a half lengths from Khyber Kim at Wincanton (heavy) on 16 February.
Entries at The Festival (Distance – Value)
Stan James Champion Hurdle (12 March) 2m 110y – £400,000
Paul Nicholls said: "He has been totally different to how he was a year ago. He had just won the Betfair Hurdle and was coughing. He wasn't quite right and we really struggled with him. He had a tiny little scar fracture of a hind leg in the autumn so we could not run him then. We rushed him for the Betfair Hurdle which he won. Then he started coughing and was nowhere near himself when he ran in the Champion Hurdle last year when he finished fifth after running a bit flat. Then he fell at Aintree.
"Otherwise he has won every race he has run in. He was three from three as a juvenile and has won all three this season. He keeps on winning and is the right age now, six. He has done nothing wrong this season. He had 17lb and beat Prospect Wells first time, then went to The International and won, galloping up the hill at Cheltenham. He idled on Saturday but won nicely. He is never going to be flashy – he could have done on Saturday with a quicker pace. He jumps nicely and loves the Cheltenham hill.
"I think there is not a lot between Hurricane Fly, Rock On Ruby, this lad and possibly Grandouet. He prefers the New Course at Cheltenham but the Champion Hurdle is over almost a furlong less on the Old Course which is sharper. I would like to see the ground on the slow side and a fast-run race. He has got a great chance. Ruby (Walsh) was always going to have to ride Hurricane Fly this season and Daryl (Jacob) has won plenty of races on him. Daryl was always going to ride him but it makes no difference who rides him. Zarkandar is a good form and we are very happy with him."
Photograph by Ian Yates. www.eyewhy.co.uk
Paul Nicholls’ youthful squad set for Cheltenham test
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Allison is the Publisher of Eclipse Magazine. She loves going to the Races and is learning to bet (despite being officially the worst bettor in the History of the Universe), there’s a lot more to learn…