Grumeti is the Cesarewitch King Grumeti foiled a late gamble on Oriental Fox as he edged a thrilling photo-finish to the Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket. Top weight Oriental Fox enjoyed a welter of support before the off, but it was 50-1 shot Grumeti who triumphed for trainer Alan King and jockey Adam Beschizza, with Quick Jack back in third. Beschizza was completing his own autumn double after landing the Cambridgeshire on Third Time Lucky at the track last month. Grumeti, who is markedly more celebrated for his hurdles and chase achievements, was staying on all the way in the two-and-a-quarter-mile heat as Nearly Caught launched an early bid for home. However, Oriental Fox and Grumeti were catching with every stride and the pair were neck and neck in the shadow of the post, with just a short head separating them, while Quick Jack was a further length away. Renneti finished fourth for the Willie Mullins operation. Beschizza said: "It's the autumn double. It's happened, so I'm over the moon "I sat bit handier than I'd liked - Mr King said to take my time - but he's seen it out. "He's not ran in two and a half months and I think if he was in a Flat yard you'd think he'd need it (the run), but he came here as fit as a flea. "He's done it well, and I'm delighted." Neither King nor owner Max McNeill were on hand to witness Grumeti's moment in the spotlight, but McNeill's brother, Hugh, said: "He's absolutely unbelievable. "I didn't think for a minute he was going to do it and I'm sure if they (King or McNeill) thought he was going to win they would all be here. "I'm sure Alan King is thrilled to bits. "When I spoke to Adam before the race, he seemed very confident, and said, 'I'm going to give him a good race and get in the top four', but I didn't think for one minute we would go that close. "It was a fantastic moment."
