Grumeti tops Triumph acceptors

All the leading fancies, including ante-post favourite Grumeti, are among the 32 remaining entries in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.

Grumeti’s trainer Alan King also has Balder Succes as he seeks a third win in the four-year-old championship.

Pearl Swan, who was demoted to second after short-heading Grumeti on this course in January, renews acquaintance.

His trainer Paul Nicholls is also represented by Dodging Bullets and Hinterland.

The Tom George-trained Baby Mix was well-beaten in the Cheltenham race dominated by Pearl Swan and Grumeti, but bounced back with a stylish victory in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton.

Sadler’s Risk, runner-up that day, carries Philip Hobbs’ hopes while a strong Irish challenge includes Darroun, Hisaabaat and Shadow Catcher.