Zarkandar leads high-class bunch back from injury

It's welcome back to a host of well-known faces, none more so than Zarkandar, one of the stable stars over the last few years who was forced to miss a year after being injured in the 2015 French Champion Hurdle.

“It’s hard at this stage to tell if all the old ability is still there,” said Paul Nicholls, “but he’s been doing loads of work and showing all his usual enthusiasm. Provided he stays sound, the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury is a possible starting point.”

A tendon injury also halted the career of 2014 Cheltenham Festival winner Lac Fontana. He is due to go novice chasing and could be interesting.