Katchit: Little Horse With A Big Engine

Katchit proved conclusively that size does not matter by producing the performance of his life to pulverise his rivals in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

A bargain purchase from the Flat, the pony-sized gelding started off his hurdling career at lowly Market Rasen in September, a far cry from the Cheltenham Festival, and has made a name for himself as a true battler over his first six starts.

But in the top juvenile race of the season, he saved up something special to thrash a decent field by nine lengths and supplement trainer Alan King and rider Robert Thornton's already mesmerising meeting after Voy Por Ustedes in the Champion Chase and My Way De Solzen in the Arkle.

Katchit (11-2 second-favourite) was always cantering behind first Degas Art and then Punjabi and simply put them all to the sword when asked a question turning for home.

'It doesn't get any better than this!' exclaimed King. 'Choc (Thornton) said on Monday if one of ours could win, we'll be very happy.

'For three of them to come in is something else. He was impressive wasn't he ? I can retire now!

'He is very adaptable and Choc said all season that he would be a good horse when the ground dried up.

'I almost thought he had got there too early but he just quickened away.'

Katchit was introduced at a general 10-1 for next season's Smurfit Champion Hurdle and his trainer mused: 'I've never had a Champion Hurdle horse ? we'll have to see.

'We'll look at Aintree and Punchestown. I had been worried about next season because of his size but I'm not so worried now.'

There were several notable disappointments, like the heavily-backed 7-2 favourite Lounaos, who loomed into contention at the third-last but dropped away to be 10th.

Her rider Barry Geraghty said: 'She kept on battling but she could not sustain that gallop and we were beaten before the straight.'

Mountain, who was eighth in the Derby, was eventually pulled up after travelling ominously well at one stage.

Second-placed Liberate (12-1) was off the bridle far sooner than Katchit and although Mobaasher jumped across him at the last, he kept on well.

His trainer Philip Hobbs said: 'I'm very pleased but it is frustrating to be second to Alan King again!

'The horse is very genuine and will probably go to Aintree and I'm half-inclined to send him to Punchestown as well.

'I think there will be more improvement to come but I'm not sure if there will be enough to reverse the placings.'

Those meetings could be on the agenda for the Charlie Mann-trained Mobaasher, who gallantly defied his inexperience in third.

'That was a great run for such a young horse, but he's a good one. Maybe he'll win the Champion next year!' said Mann.

'Unlike a lot of juveniles, he's a big horse, but it's not ideal to come to the Triumph after only one run.'

(C) PA Sport