The Alan King-trained Trouble At Bay is 10 to 1 market leader for the JCB Triumph Hurdle with William Hill and Victor Chandler following his three-quarters of a length triumph over French raider Meryl in the Steel Plate Trial Juvenile Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday.

Robert Thornton's mount was unsuited by the very steady pace but responded when asked to quicken things up at the bottom of the hill and was always going to hold his pursuers on the run-in.

King was satisfied with the performance and said: "It turned out the opposite of what we expected as we thought there would be plenty of pace, but 'Choc' committed the horse and in the end they did it well.

"He will definitely have a break now and I imagine he'll go for the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton or straight for the Triumph if that meeting is hit by the weather."

King, whose stable is taking all before it at present, has a potential Grand National horse in Bear On Board, whose jumping was flawless as he galloped to a two-length success over Fasgo in the Miles Gosling Handicap Chase.

The highlight of Martin Pipe's day came when Therealbandit powered to a 20-length success over French challenger Massac in the Ian Williams' Owners Novices' Chase. The winner is as short as 3 to 1 with Coral for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Festival, but in post-race analysis from the trainer there was a suggestion that the seven-year-old could be considered for the Tote Gold Cup, for which Victor Chandler introduced him at 16 to 1.

Waterlaw made every yard under Jamie Moore to launch a Pipe brace in the handicap chase.