Sceau Royal backed up by 'lovely team of younger horses'

Fresh from a best-ever Flat season – 32 winners and still counting – the emphasis of Alan King’s all-year-round operation has now switched seamlessly to the winter jumps. With seven winners already this month, and 39 in total, the trainer is well on the way to erasing the memory of last season, when 58 represented his lowest tally since 2003-04.

Barbury Castle is short on Grade 1 horses, but as the trainer explains: “We have to operate within a budget and can’t go chasing the most expensive ammunition. But from a lovely team of younger horses we hope one or two new stars might emerge.”

Talking of stars, Champion Hurdle fifth Elgin is out for the season but the currently sidelined Yanworth may return in the second half of the campaign. For now, all eyes will be on chasing ace Sceau Royal, who steps out of novice company for the first time at Cheltenham on Sunday.