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Penzance staged a stunning performance at Kempton Park on Saturday which rocketed him to favouritism for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Ladbrokes and VC Bet were sufficiently impressed by the seven-length triumph of Alan King's charge in the Racing Post '100 Favourite Racehorses' Juvenile Novices' Hurdle to promote him to 6-1 for the championship event next month.

Penzance drifted before starting 10-11 favourite even though his cause had been greatly eased by the absence of Etendard Indien, but throughout the race Robert Thornton oozed confidence.

When he gave the office approaching the final flight the half-brother to Soviet Song quickened impressively away from Amarula Ridge.

In completing a double for King, earlier successful with Crystal D'Ainay, Penzance established himself as the one they all have to beat in the Triumph.

After Ladbrokes slashed his price in half, King said: "I'm not surprised they have - he's done it really well. With three weeks to go to the Festival it was just what he wanted, to give him that bit more experience.

"I wasn't that much concerned about the ground because it was pretty testing when he won at Taunton. He'll be my only runner in the Triumph."

King saddled the favourite for the race last season in the shape of Trouble At Bay, but he does not look at Penzance as a similar type.

He added: "This fellow is a much sharper individual than Trouble At Bay and when I brought that horse here at the same meeting, I think I took the edge off him."

Those looking for bigger prices about the winner for Cheltenham can try Coral (8-1 from 14s) and Paddy Power (8-1 from 12s).