Napoleons Casino & Restaurant Owlerton Sheffield Lightning Novices' Chase (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 3.64s

Sceau Royal⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 161| D

1/2

Goes into this as second favourite for the Arkle and when you look at his form it is easy to see why. Turned tables on North Hill Harvey when beating him 11L in a Sandown Grade 1 last time. Acts on soft and tough to beat under a penalty.

Form: 69-1211

Adrien Du Pont^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| BF| D

4/1

Grade 1 winner over hurdles who has been campaigned over 2m4f-2m5½f so far over fences, winning at Fontwell and being placed in a Newbury Grade 2. Handles but and worth a try back at this trip, but has some improving to do to win it.

Form: 3UP-132

Ballycamp^t⁵³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: A Pogson| T: C T Pogson| OR: 116WS

100/1

Maiden after 14 starts under rules. While he has a bit of ability and was placed in his only chase so far at Southwell (1m7½f, good) when last seen in August 2016, he has fitness to prove and should be outclassed in this field.

Form: 22/3422-

Shantou Rock^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 146| BF| D

4/1

Won on soft ground over hurdles and has taken well to chasing, winning on debut at Newton Abbot (2m½f, good) in October and finishing 7L second in this grade at Kempton over Christmas. Should be main danger to the favourite.

Form: 11F-122

Forecasts

Sceau Royal (1/2), Shantou Rock (4/1), Adrien Du Pont (4/1), Ballycamp (100/1)

He may not be infallible but SCEAU ROYAL has looked a class act over fences so far and he certainly impressed in demolishing a Grade 1 field at Sandown last time. It will be a surprise if he can't give 5lb and a beating to his three opponents here. Shantou Rock is not dismissed out of hand and Dan Skelton will have a good handle on his merits, given that one of his inmates North Hill Harvey is the only horse to finish ahead of the favourite over fences. Adrien Du Pont drops in trip, but a positive ride could bring his proven stamina into play towards the business end.