High-class hurdler Sceau Royal scores on chasing debut at Warwick

Alan King's five-year-old had by far and away the best hurdling form as all five in the Bet At Racinguk.com Novices' Chase made their first public appearances over the larger obstacles.

He was duly sent off the 1/3 favourite in the hands of Daryl Jacob and didn't give his supporters much cause for concern with a slick round of jumping.

Ballyhill took them along and was still at the head of affairs under Sam Twiston-Davies as Sceau Royal moved past second-favourite Forth Bridge down the back straight.

Turning in it was clear that the odds-on favourite still had plenty in the tank and after readily taking the lead between the final two flights, Sceau Royal scampered clear, popped the last and eased to a four and a half length victory.

Sky Bet left Sceau Royal unchanged as a 25/1 chance in their antepost market for the Arkle at Cheltenham next March.

Winning jockey Jacob told Racing UK: "I'm very happy, he jumped well and travelled well. He wanted to be very long but I got him back and popping away.

"He's only small but he was a high-class hurdler and he gets from A to B very fast. It's all about educating him today, I wanted to try and teach the horse and let him do his thing at the same time.

"Hopefully he's got some big assignments to come later in the season. He was just below the best hurdlers last year but over two miles over fences I think it could bring a bit of improvement out of him. He enjoyed the good ground out there today."

King said: "That was very pleasing. He has got plenty of scope for a little horse and I was delighted with him. There were one or two down the back he stood a long way off, but he got there fine.

"I would be thinking Cheltenham at the end of the month. It would be an option, as if you can go around Warwick you can go anywhere."

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