King Unconcerned Following Katchit Defeat

Trainer Alan King was disappointed but not overly so after his stable star, Katchit was beaten on his first race back this term. The defeat came in the WBX.COM Hurdle at Kempton Park in October and his conqueror was Snap Tie, who was third in last seasons Supreme Novices Hurdle. Snap Tie who is trained by the in form stable of Phillip Hobbs, won rave reviews for his victory and has had his odds shortened for the Champion Hurdle to 16/1.

Katchit who had been 9/2 for the Champion Hurdle has now drifted to 6/1 and new favourite for the big Cheltenham Festival race is Binocular, who finished ahead of Snap Tie when he was second in the Supreme Novices last season. The winner of that race, Captain Cee Bee has sadly suffered a serious injury and will not appear at all this season.

It is the first big racing event this season that has had a direct affect on one of the big Cheltenham Festival races, but we advise punters not to take too much notice of the Katchit defeat. Yes, as odds on favourite he should have won, but it was his first run of the season and his very astute trainer, King has suggested that he has no concerns and that Katchit is sure to improve for the run. In fact at 6/1, he is attractively priced for the Champion Hurdle as is Snap Tie who may be worth taking an each way punt on now.

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