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Zarkandar Passes Kingwell Test
16/02/13

1 Zarkandar 1/3F
2 Khyber Kim 14/1
3 Balder Succes 20/1
6 ran Distances: 4½l, 4l, 1¼l
TIME 4m 8.70s (slow by 37.70s)

The Paul Nicholls-trained Zarkandar completed his public preparation for the Stan James Champion Hurdle when maintaining his 100% record this season at Wincanton.

Zarkandar
© Racehorse Photos

The six-year-old is 5-1 from 6s with MansionBet and 9-2 from 5s with Stan James for the Cheltenham showpiece after justifying prohibitive odds of 1-3 in the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle.

Monte Cavallo set the pace, with Zarkandar well placed in the hands of Daryl Jacob. A mistake three out halted Raya Star's progress as Zarkandar moved in for the kill, and he was not hard pressed to pull away and win by four and a half lengths from Khyber Kim, who made a pleasing return after 681 days off.

Nicholls said: "Proper job that, I'm relaxed now that we've done well in the big trials today. I was pleased with both horses and Celestial Halo (fourth) also ran a great race and will go for the World Hurdle.

"The great thing about Zarkandar is that he keeps finding and you wouldn't know how much more there is in the tank.

"Its an open race this year but we know the Cheltenham hill suits him. As things stand. Daryl will ride him in the Champion, but if anything happened to Hurricane Fly, god forbid, Ruby (Walsh) is our stable jockey and he would then step in."

Jockey Paddy Brennan was delighted with the performance of Khyber Kim.

He said: "I thought I'd win turning in. Mr (Nicky) Henderson has done a great job to get him back."

Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2)
£60,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Heavy, Soft in places