Nicholls salutes super Zar
Giving the talented and Wexford-born Daryl Jacob a first festival success, the ex-French horse swept clear going to the final flight to beat Dermot Weld's gallant mare, Unaccompanied.
Jacob said: "Thanks very much to Paul and the owners for keeping me on this horse. I'm just so delighted, over the moon.
"His win at Kempton was very, very good, I was most impressed with him. He's a lovely horse and better on better ground.
"I got a dream run all of the way and he finished his race nicely. Paul has always been very good to me and so has my boss, Nick Williams.
"They've given me good ammunition to come to war with this week. We've hit the crossbar a few times, so it is nice to get a winner on the board, it's a big relief. Every jockey dreams about getting a winner here.”'
Nicholls described Zarkandar as "our little Hurricane Fly''. He is, of course, by the former John Oxx-trained Azamour and is a half-brother to the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe heroine, Zarkava.
Said Nicholls: "I schooled him ten days ago and was very excited at the way he had improved his jumping.
"I knew he'd like better ground, but was worried because he only had one run. But we'd done enough with him and he obviously has that bit of class. Give him a summer off and he could be anything.
"He just travelled supremely today, he's jumped and just picked them up the minute he wanted to.
"This is great for Daryl because he has had a frustrating time and I'm delighted to give him his first ever winner at the festival. He's a good part of the team and I am delighted for him.”
Dermot Weld, whose only winner at the festival remains Rare Holiday in this race in 1990, was visibly disappointed at coming so close.
"She has run a superb race and the winner didn't do her any favours approaching the final hurdle'', said Weld.
"She will now go for the Salsabil Stakes at Navan in a few weeks and then the Grade 1 for four-year-olds at Punchestown, before having the summer off.
"This is a huge big mare, who is improving all of the time and we know is very effective on heavy ground.
"We have yet to see the best of her and, please God, she will be back here next year. She's still inexperienced and Paul (Townend) got a bit left behind early on. We really wanted to win today for her owner, Eva-Marie Haefner.”
Sam Winner ran an extraordinary race. His jumping was sloppy and, as result, he got shuffled back at a vital stage.
Indeed, Ruby Walsh's mount looked more likely to finish near the rear for most of the trip and then powered through in the straight to grab an unlikely fourth.
Commented Walsh: "He got completely outpaced, but just stayed on really well.”
Nicholls said: "Ruby didn't choose Sam Winner. He's always liked Sam and he's run a blinder.
"Daryl was on the winner when Ruby was off and I wasn't going to swap him. It would have been daft to change and Ruby never asked me if he could get on Zarkandar, he just left it to me.”
Barry Geraghty, who partnered third placed Grandouet, said: "I'm pleased with him, he ran a really great race and just couldn't quicken with the winner.”
And finally: Ruby Walsh was the leading rider with five winners, Willie Mullins top trainer with four and Gigginstown House Stud enjoyed a great meeting with three successes.
Ireland won an unprecedented 13 of the 27 races, beating the previous record of ten, and that far exceeded our expectations.
