Zarkandar a half brother to 2008 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava and impeccably bred by HRH The Aga Khan; impressed on his jumps debut when winning the The Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton today. The Alan King trained Kumbeshwar led until the second last but was swallowed up by second placed Molotoft and Zarkandar who jumped the last upsides with Zarkandar pulling 2 ¼ lengths clear on the run to the line. He is most definitely exciting and heads to the Triumph Hurdle with a live chance, he is now as low as 10/1 from 33’s for that race.
In his post race interview Trainer Paul Nicholls revealed that they feel he will be even better horse on good ground which bodes well for 18 March. Zarkandar had a belated start to his jumps campaign as he took a while to get over being gelded (to be fair who wouldn’t!) but has apparently been sparkling of late. Soldatino took the Adonis last year en route to Triumph Glory and it would be no surprise to see Zarkandar do the same.
Cathryn Fry, 26 February 2011
