Racing: Kingscliff's Gold Cup odds are cut

Last Year's champion hunter chaser, Kingscliff, took another big step up the professional ladder with a six-length defeat of smart handicapper Haut Cercy in the Tripleprint Chase at Cheltenham yesterday.

The Robert Alner-trained six-year-old burst on to the Gold Cup scene by winning easily at Ascot three weeks ago despite a broken rein; this time Andy Thornton had a much more conventional ride as Kingscliff showed many of the qualities needed for top-level success, jumping well in the main, showing agility when he did not, and demonstrating the ability to quicken.

The giant gelding, now unbeaten in seven starts in points and under rules, is low as 6-1 for the Gold Cup.