Elite Hurdle 2012

2.50 Wincanton

totepool.com Elite Hurdle (Grade 2 Limited Handicap) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £32,746

Advice: 1 pt win Zarkandar (7/2 Bet Victor, Stan James)

Zarkandar: Didn’t enjoy such a positive second season hurdling after wins in Triumph Hurdle and at Aintree, underling his huge talent when taking the Betfair Hurdle on his seasonal reappearance giving weight to all but one of his rivals; Only fifth in Champion Hurdle but way race developed didn’t suit him and given lot of ground to make up (then fell at Aintree); One gets the feeling that he was never at peak last year with Ditchdeat under a cloud for Cheltenham Festival (coughed after Betfair Hurdle) and has to be given chance here even if giving 18lbs and above on track he might find a touch sharp.

Local Hero: Plucky Juvenile, completing hat trick with Grade 2 at Cheltenham before finishing behind Zarkandar twice; Since progressed on the flat over the summer and brought that improved form back to jumps, winning twice in 2m Listed handicap hurdles; Should make another bold bid but this much harder and others preferred.

Balder Succes: Never saw the best of him as he fell at Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals but there was plenty to like about him beforehand, winning three starts on the bridle including demolition of older horses at Ascot in Febuary; Failure to complete on last two occasions has kept his mark relatively low for one who could be so classy and has to be respected seriously here.

Prospect Wells: Decent flat horse (rated 99 on the level and that for a horse in decline) and was transferring most of that ability to hurdles early on during last season before circumstances turned against him, fourth in the Ladbroke Hurdle off just 4lbs lower mark; Would want a strong pace as his Supreme Novice Hurdle effort shows but to be respected anyway and choice of Ruby Walsh from the three.

Escort ‘Men: Not gone on from impressive win in Dovecote Hurdle around 2 years ago, gaining hard fought Listed handicap off this very mark around a year ago; Since not taken to fences and exposed over hurdles so this a comeback mission for him.

Baby Mix: Didn’t seem suited by Cheltenham the last twice when well beaten in the Triumph and then on seasonal reappearance, although he was giving far too much weight to Dodging Bullets to be competitive in hindsight; Could go well with the emphasis on speed and would be one to watch.

Topolski: Won Grade 2 in the last of his three starts over hurdles at Aintree but achieved nothing in four starts last season, best being a 9 length second to Third Intention at Fontwell; More needed.

VERDICT: Considering that ZARKANDAR has to give 18lbs and above to some high class rivals, defeat would do his Champion Hurdle ambitions no harm but his own talent is not in doubt and his Betfair Hurdle proves that he’s well upto giving weight away and can cope with a test of pure speed on a flat track. He’s higher in the weights today but would have taken a closer hand in last year’s Champion Hurdle if getting a better position and is tempting enough at 7/2 to get the vote over Prospect Wells and Balder Succes, both of whom hold strong chances, while it would be foolish to forget Baby Mix at a track that should really suit.