Katchit out to defend crown

A long rest has done Katchit a power of good ahead of the defence of his Champion Hurdle crown at Cheltenham, according to Robert Thornton.

The six-year-old has been something of a disappointment for Alan King this season, failing to score in his three starts during the current campaign.

His last outing saw him finish 18 lengths behind Champion Hurdle rival Binocular at Ascot in December, prompting the trainer to sideline him to keep him fresh for hurdling's showpiece event.

"I schooled him on Monday and he felt really well. We're hopeful the break has done him some good and he goes there a relatively fresh horse," said Thornton.

"Hopefully if he runs anywhere near his best form he'll finish in the first four and that is what we're hoping for."

Determination

Meanwhile promising novice Clan Tara will bypass Cheltenham following his battling victory in the Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles on Thursday.

The seven-year-old, who has won three of his six starts, showed great determination to take the Grade Two prize by a neck from The Bishop Looney.

But trainer Paul Nolan feels the Festival will come too soon for the son of Kayf Tara, the leading National Hunt sire in Britain last year.

"He jumps well and is very tough so it is nice he has been rewarded with a nice prize as he has been so consistent all season," said Nolan.

"He ran a cracker to finish third behind Mikael D'Haguenet a couple of starts back where he just got done on the line for second.

"He certainly won't go to Cheltenham as it will come way too soon.

"He had a hard race on Thursday and we'll concentrate on Fairyhouse and Punchestown as long as there is some cut in the ground.

"He's had a bit of leg trouble in the past and we won't want to take a chance with him on ground that is any better than good to soft.

"He'll probably have one more run before the end of the season and he should make a nice prospect for novice chasing next season."