Favourite Hold On Julio misses Kempton

SATURDAY'S feature 3m handicap chase at Kempton has lost its favourite after Hold On Julio was ruled out by trainer Alan King.

The highly progressive former point-to-point and hunter chase winner had to miss the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster last month through coughing and King will not have him ready in time for Kempton.

He will now head straight to Cheltenham, where he is favourite for the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase.

King said: "He is on his way back but he's done only two strong bits since he coughed and Saturday's race will just come too soon for him."

In the absence of Hold On Julio, 15 runners have been left in the race on Monday including 2009 winner Nacarat and John Smith's Grand National contenders Planet Of Sound, Deep Purple and Seabass.

King reported RSA Chase-bound Invictus and Medermit, who has will go for either the Gold Cup or Ryanair, "100 per cent" following their exertions at Ascot on Saturday. He also revealed that 2008 Champion Hurdle hero Katchit will not run again this season.

The trainer said said: "Katchit has had another little problem. We'll see how he is in the summer, but all being well I think the owners want to carry on with him."