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ZARKANDAR SET FOR RISE IN TRIP.

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Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is likely to step Zarkandar up in trip following his fourth-placed finish in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The two-and-a-half-mile John Smith's Aintree Hurdle in April could be his first assignment over a longer distance.

VARIAN LOOKS FARR AWAY.

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Roger Varian is keen to take his Winter Derby winner Farraaj off around Europe this season, with an international campaign on the horizon.

Third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf as a youngster, his three-year-old campaign was restricted to just two runs. However, Varian has got him fit early this season and hopes to pick up some nice prizes abroad with the son of Dubai Destination.

"It is always satisfying when a plan comes together and this had been his target since his win over course and distance in November," the Newmarket handler told his website, www.varianstable.com.