Nicholls has said that Celestial Halo will run so the weights won't change leaving Zarkandar on 10-12. I don't think the ground is a concern because he has enough in hand to cope with anything. It might be a worry if it were to be heavy but that is highly unlikely. Similarly I am not concerned about anything else in the field but have backed Empire Levant by way of a saver just in case things go awry. I think you are being overly suspicious. Also possible that I am being overly trusting! I do think the price is more than big enough to take into account the small doubts that you point out, none of which concern me greatly. If he gets injured then so be it, but this as an opportunity too good to miss.
"Market Suspensions: 12pm, 24th January - Forfeit Stage 12pm, 6th February - Confirmation Of Entry Stage" Nothing unexpected.
Haven't heard or read anything about the withdrawals at the latest forfeit stage but have just noticed that Celestial Halo and Rock On Ruby have been taken out. No surprise about the latter but I was under the impression that the former was an intended runner. Nicholls now has Brampour at the top of the weights and then Zarkandar is next, up 3lbs to 11-1, alongside Get Me Out Of Here. I hope Brampour is an intended runner because I'm not sure Nicholls would want Zarkandar lumping top weight around. I see no reason why Brampour wouldn't run though because if he goes well then he deserves a shot at the Champion, and if he runs poorly then he'll get dropped a few lbs for the County. Certainly a small concern though.
Zarkandar now a best priced 7/2 Favourite. He's shortening all the time and Darlan is a drifter. Unsurprising seeing as Henderson has voiced doubts about his participation.
Soldatino must go well here, dropped to a very nice mark BUT if Zarkandar is the real deal it will surely be a matter of how far ..............
Agree on the 2nd but Soldatino hasn't dropped in the handicap since his rating was given. He has always been 148. His Triumph form looks very weak in comparison to Zarkandar so it would be disappointing if the 3lb difference was enough. I don't think it will be for all that both might be much better than their marks. Soldatino is not a Champion Hurdle contender so if you think Zarkandar is then you have to think he will beat him reasonably comfortably.
Im sure he will, but unfortunately The Fly will have too much (I hope im wrong although my money will be on the Fly & of course my old friend Binocular lol)
For Zarkander to be having any chance in the Champion Hurdle you'd want to see him winning in similar style to the Fly's comeback run on Sunday. Weighing into the argument that it's not a Grade One race but a handicap, in which he's getting weight from the 'better' horses, in fact you'd want him to winning on the bridle further than the Hurricane did off levels against recognised opposition...
It may well be a handicap BUT it had provided many good winners Let's just hope Daryl Jacob gives him a great ride and he wins with head in his chest and then onto the Fly challenge in March
Well the price for the Betfair is piss-poor - I took the 7-2 - but I'm really hoping he smashes the field to give the CH a slightly more competitive edge
Ruby Walsh now rides Zarkandar in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday after the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase was added to the meeting. As a result Daryl Jacob switches to stablemate Empire Levant. Paul Nicholls' number one jockey picked up a three-day ban at Cheltenham last month and as there was originally no Grade One race on the 'Betfair Super Saturday' card, he was set to be on the sidelines. However, after the British Horseracing Authority announced that the Scilly Isles would be transferred from last Saturday's abandoned Sandown card to this weekend's fixture at Newbury, and their rules state that Walsh can defer his ban on days where Grade One races are run. Champion trainer Nicholls said on his Twitter account: "After discussing with owners Ruby now switches to Zarkandar and Daryl Jacob rides Empire Levant." Walsh was thrilled with the news, taking to Twitter and saying: "Looking like I have got a get out of jail card for Saturday! Grade 1 Scilly Isles is my ticket to at least take part. Happy days." Nicholls concedes, though, that Zarkandar has not been trained with Saturday's valuable handicap as his highest priority - although he could still easily turn out to be good enough to win. Last year's Triumph Hurdle winner 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 last season, 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.
Have put my money on zarkandar but empire levant has got a great e/w shout and will be backing him too. Have also got him for at 25's for the county hurdle (is now at 16's- will only shorten after the weekend)
Strange how Nicholls is saying he will be trained for Cheltenham (i.e. that's the number 1 target) but the bloke who will ride him at Cheltenham will be riding Empire Levant......................... If he were mine I'd want Darryl Jacob riding him Saturday - obviously Ruby is the better jockey but I would be wanting my big race jockey on board this Saturday.
Will be a good test/build up for cheltenham for the horse and probably if hezs nt been trained for the race, nicholls will think experience is needed to get the best out of a not 100% horse to win and give the horse confidence for the CH
