Nicholls holds strong Triumph hand

Paul Nicholls could have three leading contenders in the JCB Triumph Hurdle after Zarkandar added his name to the trainer’s hopes for the juvenile championship with an eyecatching debut win at Kempton.

The French import, a half-brother to 2008 Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava, is a leading Nicholls fancy for the Triumph along with stablemate Brampour and possibly Sam Winner.