Katchit to have short holiday

Katchit, the reigning Champion Hurdler, is to be given a month’s break away from Alan King’s Barbury Castle base in a bid to reinvigorate him before his title defence at Cheltenham in March.

King decided on the move after Katchit finished fourth to Binocular in last month’s Boylesports International Hurdle, and the gelding will start his short winter holiday soon.

The trainer explained: “Katchit will leave the yard shortly to be given a month’s break at an away destination to freshen him up.

“I blame myself for running him at Wincanton. I wanted to give him some match practice but in hindsight it wasn’t the greatest move.

“However, I do think he’s still in the mix for the Champion. He’s just not firing at the moment, but that can change.”

King is considering dropping King George VI Chase third Voy Por Ustedes to two miles for his next outing, with the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury a possible port of call.

He added: “He’ll have one more outing before Cheltenham which will either be the Ascot Chase over two miles three or the Game Spirit. I have slight doubts as to whether he’s as good going right-handed and at the end of the day his major target will be back at Aintree in April.

“He’ll either run in the Ryanair Chase or the Queen Mother Chase at the Festival.”

Halcon Genelardais acquitted himself with great credit to make the frame under top weight in the Welsh National and has the Gold Cup on his agenda.

King went on: “It was an awesome run and I’d be keen to let him take his chance in the Gold Cup, especially if we had a wet March. He’ll either go straight for the Gold Cup or run here (Cheltenham) on January 24.”

King concluded that his other Welsh National runner Nenuphar Collonges was let down by his jumping at Chepstow. He could go for the Midlands National at Uttoxeter or run over hurdles.