Zarkandar has enhanced his claims for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham with a decisive victory over Khyber Kim at Wincanton for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

The 1-3 shot delighted Nicholls as he made it three wins from as many starts this season under Daryl Jacob.

He was in control from the second-last flight, although the eventual 4-1/2 length margin would have been less had Khyber Kim not made a mistake at each of the last two flights.

The Champion Hurdle sponsors Stan James were impressed and cut him to 9-2 (from 5) behind 13-8 favourite Hurricane Fly.

Nicholls reckons Cheltenham will suit his six-year-old and bring out the best in him on March 12.

"That was a proper job. I'm relaxed now that my horses have run well in the big trials and they can't go quick enough for Zarkandar," Nicholls said.

"The great thing about him is that he keeps finding, and we don't know how much more there is to come.

Ruby Walsh has reaffirmed his intention to ride the Willie Mullins-trained 2011 Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly and not Zarkander.

"I am definitely going to partner Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham next month," he told the Irish Examiner.

"The alternative was obviously Zarkandar for Paul Nicholls.

"Earlier this week Paul asked me which one of them I intended to ride at the Festival.

"He posed a straight question and I gave him a straight answer - Hurricane Fly.

"It is getting quite close to Cheltenham now and Paul needed certainty."

The leading rider is however likely to partner the Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti in the Gold Cup at the Festival.