Ruby Walsh will partner 2012 Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar when he lines up in the Betfair Hurdle on Saturday. (credit: lj1980s)
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Ruby Walsh will partner 2012 Champion Hurdle hope Zarkandar when he lines up in the Betfair Hurdle on Saturday.
It had originally been Daryl Jacob set to take the ride on the ante post favourite, but after the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase was added to the meeting, Walsh can now make his way to Newbury.
A delighted Walsh declared on Twitter: "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."
However, trainer Paul Nicholls has been keen to reiterate that Zarkandar hasn’t been trained with Saturday’s race as his priority and the handler explained:"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.
"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."
