CHAMPION HURDLE winner Katchit has died of colic at the age of ten.

The Alan King trained champion was the first five-year-old to win the prestigious Grade 1 since See You Then in 1985. 

The race, in 2007, was his final victory, but he remained a very popular runner.

King told the Racing Post: "He had colic and underwent a couple of operations in the last week or so, but took a turn for the worst last night and the vets put him down. We weren't going to let him suffer.

"He leaves a huge hole at Barbury and was marvellous for the owners, for Choc [Thornton] and the whole team at the yard.

"I will never forget those two marvellous first seasons we had with him when he went from strength to strength and exceeded all our expectations. I will never train a tougher horse."

Jockey Robert Thornton, who rode Katchit in all but two of his starts over hurdles, also paid tribute.

He posted on Twitter: "No words I can write can explain what the little warrior meant to myself and the team at Barbury. RIP little man #Katchit."