17th Dec 2012 | Horse Racing
Zarkandar 7/1 For Champion Hurdle
Zarkandar won the International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday but Grandouet and Rock On Ruby lost little in defeat.
The International Hurdle was the big jumps race of the weekend and the three main protagonists all came to the fore. Zarkandar out battled Rock On Ruby and still had enough in reserve to hold off Grandouet and win by two lengths. The 5-year-old was cut to 7/1 (Paddy Power) for the Champion Hurdle, having finished fifth in the race last year when reportedly he was not physically right .
Grandouet (7/1 Paddy Power) and Rock On Ruby (10/1 Blue Square) are still prominent in the betting for the Champion Hurdle, with both expected to improve on better ground in March. Of the pair Rock On Ruby looks the value, having tired markedly in the ground when duelling with Zarkandar up the straight. Like last season he can be expected to improve as the season progresses.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 10:43 17th Dec, 2012 but subject to change
