THE ground is starting to dry out at long last and speed is becoming more of a factor in key races leading up to the Cheltenham Festival.

At Kempton on Saturday, Paul Nicholls’ Zubayr and Nick Scholfield made up plenty of ground from three out in the Grade 2 Betbright Adonis Juvenile Hurdle and quickly went clear to beat Azzurri by nearly four lengths with Khezerabad a close third. It was an eye-catching performance by the son of Epsom Derby winner Authorized and he is as low as 6/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.

The National Hunt branch of the sport has changed out of all recognition these past few years and Zubayr is a typical arrival at a major yard. Bred in Ireland but a maiden on the flat in France, where he had only two outings, he cost a remarkable €380,000 on behalf of owner Paul Vogt and was making his hurdling debut after proving slow to come to hand. Last but one with three to jump, he cruised past everything apart from Azzurri and had far too much speed for him in the closing stages.

The disappointment of the race was Alan King’s Gibralfaro, who was beaten early in the straight. King, unimpressed by the opposition when the horse won at Sandown last time, never had any illusions and does not see Gibralfaro as a convincing Triumph contender. Starting at even-money, he was a very expensive favourite for many punters last week.

Zubayr (9/1), bred by the Aga Khan’s studs, may well have considerable improvement in him. He was ridden by Christophe Soumillon in two Longchamp races, finishing fourth in a fair maiden over a mile and a half the second time. Perhaps the main worry concerns the size of field in just under a fortnight’s time, because it will be the usual cavalry charge whereas he faced only six rivals here.

A writer of fiction might hesitate before opting for some of the similarities with the very talented Zarkandar. Nicholls not only went to Alain de Royer-Dupré’s Chantilly stable again, five years after purchasing the latter - also bred by the Aga Khan - but saw him emerge from the same box. Zarkandar made a winning debut in the Adonis and went on to take the Triumph. It is little wonder the bookmakers are taking no chances.

“Three weeks ago he wouldn’t have been running here, he was that backward,” Nicholls said. “The first time he schooled on grass was yesterday but he’s just started to come alive and I think we can get him better in three weeks’ time. On today’s performance I could see him doing what Zarkandar did at Cheltenham.” The champion trainer could have as many as four other representatives in the opener on Gold Cup day but nothing he runs at the festival is as short as Zubayr is at the moment.

WINTER ESCAPE

Alan King was happier after the Grade 2 Sky Bet Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle, in which J.P. McManus’ Winter Escape, ridden by Barry Geraghty, challenged Nicholls’ Marracudga at the last and showed a better turn of foot, going away to score by just over a length with Welsh Shadow third.

The winner was strongly supported at 4/6 after winning twice at Doncaster but, although unbeaten, he is not necessarily earmarked for the Supreme Novices’ and may well wait for Aintree.

“My gut feeling is that he won’t run at Cheltenham. I want to do what is right by the horse because he’s potentially very, very exciting,” the trainer said.

ANOTHER FOR JOHNSON

Richard Johnson, who reached his double century for the season the previous day, carried on as usual and won the Grade 2 Betbright Pendil Novices’ Chase on 5/1 chance Killala Quay for Charlie Longsdon. Favourite backers had little joy in this. One 5/2 joint-favourite, Nicholls’ Mon Successeur, came down four out while the other, Jonjo O’Neill’s The Saint James, also capsized when still to be asked a question a fence later. That left Killala Quay with two to beat and, having made all the running, he produced the better jump at the last to account for Twelve Roses by over three lengths.

Longsdon may let the winner take his chance in the two and a half mile novices’ handicap at Cheltenham but believes he would be highly tried there. This did not look the strongest Pendil of recent years.