Zarkandar has managed more than his fair share of waiting and Paul Nicholls’ aspiring star has negotiated another week of delays before he finally gets his season underway in tomorrow’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

Ruby Walsh has come in for the plum ride on Zarkandar in Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle after a change to the Newbury card which allows the rider to defer a suspension that originally ruled him out of action this weekend.

THE feature at Sandown this afternoon is the Tolworth Hurdle and I ride Prospect Wells in what is a tricky little contest, even if there are only five runners.

Free set to make it three

A SMALL but select field of five will go to post for the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Monday, with last season’s winner Binocular looking to repair his reputation.

Nicky Henderson believes he has Binocular in the best possible shape to retain his williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle title on St Stephen's Day.