Zaidpour served a timely reminder of the quality of Aga Khan Studs graduates in the jumping discipline as he lifted one of the first Grade 1 events of the Anglo-Irish season. Willie Mullins’ charge accelerated away from his rivals to lift the Gr.1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse, and at the same time enter the reckoning for the Gr.1 World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2013.

The six-year-old was winning his second Grade 1 title, having picked up the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at this same Fairyhouse meeting two years ago. Zaidpour has also won a hat-trick of Grade 2 events and filled the runner-up spot in three further Grade 1 hurdles since joining Willie Mullins.

The son of Red Ransom and Prix de Diane heroine Zainta (Kahyasi) was purchased by Pierre Boulard Bloodstock for €80,000 at Arqana’s Arc sale in 2009. The blue-blooded family was already proven over jumps as Zaidpour is the half-brother to Triumph Hurdle winner and Champion Hurdle third Zaynar (Daylami).

Another Aga Khan Studs-bred Triumph Hurdle winner, Zarkandar (Azamour) has also made his mark in the early part of the National Hunt season, winning the Gr.2 Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November. Fifth in the Champion Hurdle last March when aged only five years old, Zarkandar will target the same race at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.

Bought privately to join Paul Nicholls after a win and places on the flat for Alain de Royer Dupré, Zarkandar is the half-brother of unbeaten champion filly Zarkava.