Noel Fehily has confirmed that his Ladbrokes World Hurdle ride will be Zarkandar rather than the horse he has won a Champion Hurdle on, Rock On Ruby.

Fehily is contracted to ride for Zarkandar's owner, Chris Giles, and while that means he is on the Gold Cup favourite Silviniaco Conti, he has to give up the mount on his favourite horse.

Fehily said: “I will be riding Zarkandar, I’m contracted to the owners.

“Obviously it’s something I hoped wouldn’t happen, that the two would clash, but they are going to clash and I’m having to ride Zarkandar because of my commitment to the owners.

“It’s not a bad dilemma to be in as they are two very good horses, hopefully Zarkandar can go and win.

“It’s something I haven’t been looking forward to as I love Rock On Ruby and he’s done wonders for my career and he’s going in the form of his life. He has a massive chance, but I also think Zarkandar has a massive chance.

“They have the same rating, they’ve raced four times and it’s two each, there’s nothing between them.”