Racing: Katarino the top Triumph fancy

KATARINO, THE impressive winner of both his races in Britain so far, is favourite for the Triumph Hurdle. Nick Henderson's four-year-old, who raced three times over hurdles and once over fences (at Auteuil) in France, trotted up by 10 lengths from Sherganzar at Newbury in November and came out again just four days later where he notched a highly impressive 11-length victory over the useful Simply Gifted at Cheltenham, with Dangerus Precedent, the subsequent Prestbury Park winner, a further 17 lengths back in fourth.

Istabraq, the defending Champion Hurdler, remains the hottest favourite to retain his crown since See You Then in the 1980s, although French Holly, the winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton, is providing some opposition.

Teeton Mill, who impressed in the Hennessy and the King George VI, has hardened as the Gold Cup favourite since Florida Pearl, last year's impressive Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner, fell in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown. Dorans Pride, winner of the Ericsson and placed in the last two Gold Cups, is available at 12-1.