East India Dock and Lulamba tackle Mullins battalion in Triumph

East India Dock and Lulamba will lock horns in a big field of 18 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday.

In a throwback to years gone by, a huge array of juveniles will line up in the day four opener, with James Owen’s East India Dock and Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba dominating the betting.

Henderson was due to have a strong second string to his bow in expensive purchase Palladium but he was ruled out on Tuesday.

Gavin Cromwell’s Hello Neighbour is the shortest-priced Irish-trained runner, while Willie Mullins runs 11, with Paul Townend on Lady Vega Allen.

Another big field will line up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle as 20 are set to go to post.

Henry de Bromhead’s The Big Westerner, Mullins’ Jasmin De Vaux, the Lucinda Russell-trained Derryhassen Paddy and Gordon Elliott’s Ballybow are all fancied.

There will also be a leading French challenger in Jet Blue for David Cottin.

In contrast, only 16 have been declared for the William Hill County Hurdle, with Mullins running Ethical Diamond, last year’s winner Absurde, Daddy Long Legs and Kargese, the mount of Townend.

Nine run in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, with Lucy Wadham’s Telepathique not declared, while Mullins’ big talking horse Kopeck De Mee runs in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle against Elliott’s Wodhooh.