RACING: Impressive Etendard Indien looks a Triumph prospect

ETENDARD INDIEN emerged as a leading contender for next month's Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after winning easily on his debut for Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson at Kempton yesterday.

The former French-trained colt made all to score by 12 lengths from Reservoir in the hands of Mick Fitzgerald to earn a 14-1 quote (from 25-1) for Cheltenham with Coral. Victor Chandler quote only 10-1 while Paddy Power go 12-1. Etendard Indien (10-11) landed a Group Three for Andre Fabre last September and arrived at Seven Barrows with a big reputation.

Henderson, who has chosen this race to run some of his best juveniles in the past, will look to give the colt one more outing before Cheltenham and said: "We have Papini and Afrad, but this fellow is definitely our number one for the Triumph."