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.