Paul Nicholls has high hopes for both Movewiththetimes and Zubayr in Saturday’s Betfair Hurdle at Newbury
Nicholls has likened Zubayr to Zarkandar who won the race back in 2012 and is struggling to split the chances of both him and Movewiththetimes
PAUL NICHOLLS is hoping either Movewiththetimes or Zubayr can provide him with a second win in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.
Nicholls likens Zubayr to Zarkandar, who gave him his only success in this race to date in 2012 before going onto bigger and better things.
"He is not unlike Zarkandar in a lot of ways. Last year he surprised us a little bit by winning the Adonis at Kempton," he said.
"He was dropped right out last as they went quick and he stayed on strongly. We haven't actually ridden him since like that and we might have to do that again on Saturday.
"He is crying out for a real fast run handicap.
"He won again at Wincanton after he won the Adonis. He was a bit disappointing in the Triumph on softer ground.
"He went to Ireland and ran very well in the spring. He was beaten a length and half by Footpad."
Zubayr will be having his first run this calendar year and was last seen finishing fifth to Brain Power at Sandown in December.
Movewiththetimes has had just three runs in novice company and Nicholls sees the six-year-old as a horse with a big future.
"He is a really nice horse. He is a big, strong horse who will make a lovely chaser in a year's time," he said.
"He made his debut for us last year at Wincanton (in a bumper). We always thought he would win when he ran. He duly obliged very nicely.
"He started off over hurdles at Fontwell and won nicely. He jumped really well that day. He went to Cheltenham on soft ground at the meeting in November and was only beaten three and three-quarter lengths by Moon Racer.
"He could not have got in any more trouble if he had tried. They all got in a muddle turning in. Some went left, some went right. It was a bit of a funny result really.
"He went to Wincanton and won again."
