Betfair Free Friday Results: Zarkandar makes winning return at Newbury

News / Timeform / 17 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Zarkandar (centre) won the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury

"Running from a BHA mark of 151, last season's Triumph Hurdle winner looked potentially thrown-in..."

Champion Hurdle hopeful Zarkandar landed Newbury's Betfair Hurdle on Friday, whilst Long Run got back to winning ways and Sprinter Sacre enhanced his already lofty reputation...

Turning into the Newbury straight, Zarkandar did not look the most likely winner, with jockey Ruby Walsh asking the five-year-old to try and pick the leaders up. Emerging between rivals at the final flight, Zarkandar's stamina really came into evidence, and he gradually asserted his authority on the field.

Running from a BHA mark of 151, last season's Triumph Hurdle winner looked potentially thrown-in, but the dawdling early pace was unlikely to play to his strengths. Darlan, under Tony McCoy, was arguably travelling best turning for home but took a crashing fall at the third-last, hampering eventual runner-up Get Me Out of Here, with Raya Star and Sire de Grugy filling the remaining places.

Zarkandar is sure to improve for this seasonal return and can presently be backed at [7.4] for the Champion Hurdle.

The Nicky Hednerson-trained Long Run, winner of the King George and Gold Cup last season, gained his first win of the term in the Betfair Denman Chase as he beat stable mate Burton Port, returning from over a year on the sidelines, and What A Friend into second and third respectively.

Long Run had come up against a resurgent Kauto Star on his two previous starts this season, in the Betfair Chase and the King George, but with that opponent not in the line-up he managed to get back to winning ways.

Long Run heads the Gold Cup market at [3.55], whilst Burton Port, who put up an excellent performance on his return, is available at [13.0] and What A Friend at [50.0].

Sprinter Sacre, also trained by Nicky Henderson, gained his third win from as many starts over fences when easily landing the Betfair Super Saturday Chase. He had been extremely impressive in his previous starts but, up against his elders, including French Opera and Hold Fast, this was expected to be a more thorough test.

However, Barry Geraghty was motionless throughout onboard Sprinter Sacre, the six-year-old simply strengthening his position at the head of the Arkle market at [2.36].
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Betfair Hurdle: Zarkandar to face 21 at Newbury

News / Timeform / 09 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Prospects for Betfair's Super Saturday card remain in the balance

"Zarkandar is Timeform top-rated..."

Despite doubts still lingering as to whether the meeting will beat the frost, a field of 22 has been declared for the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.

Only Sailors Warn and Orzare were taken out at the 48-hour stage for one of the richest hurdle races in Europe.

Paul Nicholls seems to hold all the aces with Triumph Hurdle winner Zarkandar making his seasonal reappearance under Ruby Walsh, who was given a last-minute reprieve from a suspension by the rescheduling of the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase from Sandown.

The top weight Brampour also hails from Nicholls' yard, as does Daryl Jacob's mount, Empire Levant.

With Edward O'Grady deciding against bringing Sailors Warn, Irish hopes now rest solely on the shoulders of Final Approach.

Willie Mullins' County Hurdle winner returned to winning ways last time out having tried his hand in Grade 1 company previously.

Jonjo O'Neill will be hoping for a change of luck following the news that Synchronised will miss Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup and he runs Get Me Out Of Here, who was just touched off by Final Approach at Cheltenham.

Brian Ellison has two representatives, Marsh Warbler and Abergavenny.

Nicky Henderson has a good record in races of this nature and has the unbeaten Darlan, Soldatino and Ericht engaged.

Ladbroke Hurdle winner Raya Star, from Alan King's yard, the Gary Moore duo of Sire de Grugy and Via Galilei and Colin Tizzard's Third Intention will also have plenty of followers.

Zarkandar is Timeform top-rated and is currently trading as [4.6] favourite for the Betfair Handicap Hurdle, a race that also features Olofi, Ubi Ace, Desert Cry and Ciceron among the big field.

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Betfair Hurdle: Nicholls issues Zarkandar warning

News / Timeform / 06 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Zarkandar will make his seasonal reappearance at Newbury.

"Zarkandar could well go and win and looks well-handicapped but whatever happens, win, lose or draw, there will be a lot to come and he has been trained with the Champion Hurdle in mind..."

Paul Nicholls concedes Zarkandar has not been trained with Saturday's Betfair Hurdle as his highest priority - although he could still easily turn out to be good enough to win the prestigious Newbury handicap...

Last year's Triumph Hurdle winner, who will now be ridden by Ruby Walsh, is not far off being second favourite for the Champion Hurdle itself, and the first Tuesday of the Cheltenham Festival is when Nicholls wants him at his peak.

Just a five-year-old, Zarkandar won all three starts as a juvenile in Britain, taking the Triumph on the second of those and following up at Aintree but will only be appearing in the second half of the season again, as he has not raced in public since Liverpool.

"Zarkandar could well go and win and looks well-handicapped but whatever happens, win, lose or draw, there will be a lot to come and he has been trained with the Champion Hurdle in mind," said Nicholls.

"He's a hell of a horse to know if he has improved. At home he's workmanlike but on the track he's different. He's been working OK but is obviously better on the track.

"He's had a racecourse gallop and has done plenty but I'm in the dark as much as anyone. He could win and be a good thing, unless he needs the run more than we thought, but he's done enough work. Saturday will tell us a lot more."

Zarkandar currently heads the market for the Betfair Hurdle at [4.4].

Brampour, the winner of the Greatwood Hurdle, is also pencilled in for Nicholls' Champion team along with Rock On Ruby and potentially Celestial Halo.

The trainer went on: "I ran him a bit quick at Christmas after a good run behind Grandouet and this is his prep for the Champion.

"Harry takes 7lb off and I know this stops the weight going up for the others, but I think it is probably better for everyone else too. He could run a nice race."

The third member of the squad is Sir Alex Ferguson's Empire Levant.

The grey is also returning from a break, having been brushed aside by Rock On Ruby at the Hennessy meeting.

Nicholls said: "He's definitely not without a chance and I think he's a great each-way bet.

"He had a couple of problems over Christmas and he will probably run here and then go for the County Hurdle. He loves a big galloping track like Newbury."

Raya Star could bid for another major handicap prize for Alan King after his success at Ascot, while Darlan and Get Me Out Of Here are two major contenders for leading owner JP McManus.

There are two potential Irish challengers in the Willie Mullins-trained Final Approach and Sailors Warn from the Edward O'Grady stable.

Sire De Grugy, Soldatino, Ubi Ace, Olofi and Third Intention are others who remain in the mix.

Newbury clerk of the course Richard Osgood said the ground was currently good to soft, soft in places.

"We've kept a whole lot of fresh ground for the meeting," he said.

"With the rain and snow, we had around 11 millimetres in the last week and the fleeces covering the track absorb the moisture so it steadily drips through.

"We will leave the covers on until Saturday."

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Paul Nicholls: Massively excited about Zarkandar and Sam Winner

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