Nicholls vows to keep faith in Sam
CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls has said he accepts things will not always run smoothly as young stable jockey Sam Twiston-Davies beds into his first season in the high-profile role.
The 21-year-old (below) came in for some criticism after f avourite Zarkandar hit the front in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday but was ultimately beaten a head by the rallying Reve De Sivola, who was winning the race for the third year.
The winner was ridden by Daryl Jacob — who operated as Nicholls’ main jockey last season. The win was Jacob’s most important since deciding to go freelance rather than revert to the No 2 jockey job he had held behind Ruby Walsh.
Nicholls said: ‘If Sam rode Zarkandar again, he would do things differently. It is the first time he has ridden him in that situation and you never stop learning. It won’t be happening next time. He hasn’t got that much experience riding in those very big races. When you appoint a young jockey you have to accept these things.
‘We are all competitive and don’t like giving races away but he will learn from it. Ruby made plenty of mistakes when he was riding.
‘Sometimes these tal- ented horses aren’t straightforward. Zarkandar wants a more competitive field where he can get a bit of cover. He is a monkey but a very talented monkey.’
Zarkandar will now be freshened up for the Cheltenham Festival. Nicholls added: ‘He will not run before the World Hurdle. That is the only race I am aiming him at.’ Zarkandar is 12-1 for that with sponsors Ladbrokes.
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained 7-2 favourite and last season’s winner More Of That could run in February. He has had a breathing operation after his disappointing comeback third place in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle.
Meanwhile, Nicholls has three of the 10 possibles for the William Hill King George at Kempton on Boxing Day with Twiston-Davies on Al Ferof and Noel Fehily on the favourite — his 2013 winner Silviniaco Conti. Jamie Moore says he hopes to be fit to ride Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Double Ross. Moore has not ridden since a fall on No Buts at Cheltenham on December 13.
HIGH CHAPARRAL, the 2002 Derby winner for trainer Aidan O’Brien and sire of 2013 Sussex Stakes hero Toronado, has died during colic surgery. The son of Sadler’s Wells won six group one races and £3.5million.