Zarkandar makes belated return

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.

Nicholls has maintained last year’s Triumph winner is primarily being prepared for the Stan James Champion Hurdle, but a share of the £152,500 (€183,400) prize money on offer would not be turned away by connections.