Franchoek on Cheltenham trail

Ante-post JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Franchoek is likely to be seen in action this weekend – with Cheltenham’s Boylesports.com Best Odds Juvenile Novices’ Hurdle the favoured option.

Alan King has also handed the exciting youngster an entry in the Grade Two Summit Junior Hurdle at Lingfield – but the team look set to be represented by Russian Invader in that contest.

Of Franchoek, King said: “We’ve always said he’d go to Cheltenham and the other horse would go to Lingfield.

“I just wanted to keep my options open but I’d be surprised if he doesn’t go to Cheltenham.

“He’s a very straightforward horse and he worked on Saturday and again this morning. We’re very happy with him but I haven’t really set out to test him at home.

“He’s a totally different sort of horse to Katchit as that one has more speed,” he told At The Races.

“Franchoek is a proper stayer and sort of grinds things out, but if he takes to jumping the way he has, you are always going to win races.”