Old ability still there with 'real legend' Zarkandar

Ulck Du Lin
8g Sassanian - Miss Fast
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
9226-70
RPR 147c OR 140c
They went too quick for him over 2m1f at Ascot on his latest run and he said ‘no thank-you’, then he sulked and looked after himself. We’ll have to go up in trip next time. Not well handicapped but there should be a nice race in him.

8g Dom Alco - Gleep Will
John and Lisa Hales
03120-0
RPR 161c OR 148c
Seems to have been around the place for years; he’s won at least once every season since we’ve had him. He was always behind at Chepstow first time up; it was good ground and he wants it a lot softer. We plan to take him back for the Welsh National, but I can’t help feeling he’s too high in the handicap. Not the most straightforward of rides but Nick Scholfield has formed a good partnership with him and they won a nice prize at Kelso. His jumping never got into a rhythm in the Grand National.

7g Voix Du Nord - La Tosca Valtat
Axom XLIII
334F5-3
RPR 164c OR 160c
Started last season winning the Haldon Gold Cup but you had to feel sorry for him as he ran well in a host of top races but is basically just shy of top class. He needs to be ridden with balls of steel and come very late as he tends to pull himself up, but he was in front ten minutes too soon in the Old Roan Chase last month, when he finished third to the better-handicapped Third Intention. He’d come back a bit later than the others so he’s entitled to improve for the run. Despite what I read in some quarters he definitely stayed 2m4f at Aintree and I could see him trying 3m at some stage.