Zarkandar follows up Zarkandar completed a quick Grade 1 double for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh when following up his JCB Triumph Hurdle success with a hard-earned victory in the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree. The 4/6 favourite needed to be driven right out by Walsh to beat Kumbeshwar by a length and a quarter after the whole complexion of the race changed dramatically two out. John Quinn's Palawi set a strong gallop in front and was just coming to the end of his tether when he came down at the second last, bringing down Nicky Henderson's Grandouet who was still travelling well at the time. That left Zarkandar and Kumbeshwar to fight it out, with the winner becoming the third horse after Detroit City and Katchit to do the Cheltenham-Aintree double. Walsh said: "He's a laid-back type and I was riding him along, but I knew I had a bit of horse left when I really wanted to go. When I jumped the last and gave him a squeeze, he's gone a length or two up and then just idled and pulled up. "He's tough, an accurate jumper and a real little professional. He has class from his pedigree and a great attitude to go with it. "He has to go towards the Champion Hurdle, that's the natural progression. He'll have to improve again from four to five to get up to that level, but he's showing all the right signs." Nicholls said: "He's done really well to get here as he had a huge abscess in his mouth and Clifford (Baker, head lad) had to bathe it and lance it. Obviously, for a couple of days, he wouldn't have been feeling great, he's got to be a very tough horse. "I thought he looked a bit light in the paddock and didn't travel so well during the race. He'll be ready for a nice break now."
