TRAINER Alan King paraded his 18-strong team for the Cheltenham Festival at a press day held in glorious sunshine at Barbury Castle in midweek - and nominated Franchoek in the JCB Triumph Hurdle as his leading chance.

Trainer of seven winners at the Festival, King will also be bidding for his third success with Voy Por Ustedes, following wins in the Arkle Trophy in 2006 and the Queen Mother Champion Chase at last year's meeting.

Katchit, winner of the Triumph in 2007, is expected to run well in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle with Blazing Bailey contesting the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Welsh National winner Halcon Genelardais will take on the Nicholls-trained duo of Kauto Star and Denman in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

First to parade was My Way de Solzen with King saying he had not lost faith in him, adding: "Things haven't gone to plan this season. He has had a break since pulling up in the King George and has been treated for ulcers.

"He will run tomorrow at Fontwell and if he performs well he will run either in the World Hurdle or the Ryanair Chase."

Voy Por Ustedes looked a picture and the trainer reported that he came home in good order from Newbury after his recent second to the Paul Nicholls-trained Master Minded.

"He will defend his title in the Champion Chase and I am hoping for good ground. He will be 6lb better off with the Nicholls challenger, he is a spring horse and loves it round Cheltenham."

Of Halcon Genelardais, the next to parade King said: "He will take his chance in the Gold Cup and the softer the ground the better.

"I have deliberately kept him back. He's a horse that loves to be fresh and doesn't stand too much racing. We will let him take his chance as long as the ground is not too quick.

"Take the top two out of the race there is some good prize money up for grabs and I think he will run very well."

King said Blazing Bailey would head for the World Hurdle again. "He's been a model of consistency and I was pleased with his second to Inglis Drever in the Cleeve Hurdle.

"If the Howard Johnson horse returns in the same form at Cheltenham he will be difficult to beat but you must never be afraid of one horse. He handles all types of ground and should be there about."

Next up was one of the yard's lesser known horses, Theatre Girl.

"She's very interesting," said the trainer. "She holds a variety of entries but is likely to run in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle.

"She was one of last season's top bumper mares. Last time she was only just beaten by Chomba Womba at Doncaster. She hasn't raced beyond two miles but Wayne Hutchinson who rode her last time thinks it wouldn't be a problem."

Interesting newcomer to the yard is Junior, trained on the Flat by Brian Meehan at Manton, who ran second at Huntingdon on Thursday, and could run in the World Hurdle, the Bartlett Novices' Hurdle or the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.

King said: "He's been doing everything asked of him and has settled in well."

Franchoek, with groom Michael O'Brien in the saddle, looked exceptionally well, and could be the mount of the owner's retained jockey, AP McCoy, in the Triumph Hurdle.

King added: "Franchoek has had a smashing season, has improved with racing, and his win at the end of January was his best to date.

" His confidence has grown by winning races and that has shown in his work at home. Previous Triumph winners Penzance and Katchit would have more speed than him hence the reason we made plenty of use of him. All three are great jumpers and love racing.

"The horse stays well and Cheltenham is made for him. He goes on any ground and I'm very happy with him."

Group Captain, winner of the valuable November Handicap in 2006 for Beckhampton trainer Roger Charlton, joined the King team towards the end of last year and continues to race in the colours of his owner Peter Webb.

He's unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and on his most recent run at Exeter recorded his third straight victory, booking his ticket to Cheltenham in the process.

King said: "He's almost certain to go for the Ballymore Properties Hurdle. He will enjoy the big field at Cheltenham because the more trouble he gets in the better he runs. He hasn't run on good ground yet but jockey Robert Thornton thinks he will improve for it, he's an exciting prospect."

King said of Howle Hill: "He has had a marvellous season and been a great servant over the years. He has won two valuable chases this season one at Ascot and a £100,000 race at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago.

"We will let him take his chance. He's got three entries - the Ryanair, the Grand Annual and the Racing Post Plate."

Katchit, last year's Triumph Hurdle winner, is currently joint fourth choice in the betting for the Champion Hurdle.

King said: "I was delighted with his victory in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last weekend. He wasn't doing a lot in front but was always holding the others.

"It was just what he wanted and as a result his confidence is high. He wasn't at his best when second to Osana in the Boylesport International because the race was so soon after the Fighting Fifth Hurdle."

Completing the strong Barbury Castle team for the Festival are Pur De Sivola, Sir Harry Ormesher, Il Duce, Prideus, Old Benny and Kelrov.

Bookmaker Paddy Power has quoted King as a 5-1 shot to be top trainer at the Festival but the value bet could be the 12-1 on offer for Katchit, Voy Por Ustedes and Blazing Bailey to all finish in the first three in their respective races.