Sport

Zark can continue Nicholls revival

IN yesterday's column, I was writing about the genius of Willie Mullins and his achievement in training four winners on day one, but Paul Nicholls's response yesterday was absolutely incredible and I see more success for him today.

Nicholls has had to sit and watch in the past few seasons as the glory days of Denman, Kauto Star and Big Buck's fade to memory and Henderson and Mullins have stolen his glory at the Festival.

It can't have been easy for him being top dog and getting knocked off his perch but yesterday was a reminder to all that he's very much a force to be reckoned with when it comes to training winners at the big meetings.

Today, Nicholls (pictured) has two big chances in the feature race, the World Hurdle.

He runs Saphir de Rheu and stable jockey Sam Twiston-Davies has chosen to ride him ahead of stablemate ZARKANDAR.

It can't have been an easy decision for Sam, and the way it's been going for him this week, there's every chance he'll call it right, but I am a massive fan of Zarkandar and think he will run a massive race today.

He was beaten by Reve de Sivola in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December but rather threw the race away after hitting the front too soon, but his trainer is on record as saying that he has deliberately kept him fresh since then because that's when he is at his best and I am expecting him to be really up for it today. As long as Noel Fehily can keep a cool head and not hit the front too soon then I think he can add to his Triumph Hurdle victory of four years ago.

Nicholls also goes double-handed in the opening race of the day, the Grade One JLT Novices Chase and of his two it's the least fancied in the betting who I think could be the value.

Sam Twiston-Davies has chosen Ptit Zig ahead of IRISH SAINT, leaving Noel Fehily to ride the latter, but I like Irish Saint's chances of making the frame at 16/1. He's really battle-hardened after five runs over fences this season and I just would be put off Ptit Zig by his fall last time out. It's competitive fare all round today and it's going to be more difficult than ever to find winners. The Ryanair Chase certainly doesn't look like an easy puzzle to solve but this year has been the year that DON COSSACK has 'manned up' and is finally showing everybody the potential which we all knew he had. He deserves to be favourite today on his form this season and I wouldn't put anybody off backing him