King in command as Sceau Royal's emphatic win sets up Elite Hurdle defence bid

Sunday: Kempton

Sceau Royal teed up a bid for a historic fourth success in the Elite Hurdle on November 5 in emphatic fashion after he cruised to success on his seasonal debut.

Winning trainer Alan King was still receiving congratulations for the success of Trueshan at Ascot a day earlier, but was delighted with the return of his jumps star, who scored by nine and a half lengths under Daryl Jacob in the Listed 2m hurdle.

"I was a bit worried because the weekend has gone awfully well, but he's one horse you could nearly set your clock to," King said.

"He's spread a plate and given his knee a bang but apart from that he's fine. He always goes left when he jumps, but you can get away with that over hurdles. He's just got in a habit, but he's allowed to do that with his record."

It was a second success in the £50,000 contest for Sceau Royal, who went on to record a third victory in Wincanton's Grade 2 contest last year.

Sceau Royal jumps to victory in Kempton's Listed contest on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It's just what we wanted today and it hopefully put him right for a return to Wincanton," King added. "We'd want a lot more rain though, I wouldn't want to run him on anything quicker than today. At his age we'll look after him."

Sceau Royal was King's fourth winner of the weekend and second on the day after Admiralty House scored on his debut over obstacles in the opening juvenile hurdle.

The race was last won by subsequent Grade 1 scorer Knight Salute, who went from Kempton to Cheltenham's November meeting, but a similar bid was ruled out by the trainer.

King said: "This win might make a man of Admiralty House, but it's going to take some time. He's a good horse but he's difficult, he isn't the sort to be going to Cheltenham next. We'll just have to mind him a bit and wait for his brain to click into gear."

Prince rules

Jack Quinlan struggled to articulate his admiration for Mercian Prince after the veteran chaser notched back-to-back wins in the 2m2f handicap chase.

The Amy Murphy-trained runner was a resounding winner for the fifth time at the track with a six-and-a-half-length triumph over Gortroe Joe.

Jack Quinlan and Mercian Prince jump the last on their way to success on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Quinlan said: "He's 11-years-old and has been a star for me and Amy since the very start of his career. He's been there since day one and is both of our winningmost horse, and wears his heart on his sleeve every time. Most horses would be waving the white flag by now but he's still out there, leading from the front and enjoying his racing.

"He's not a Grade 1 horse, but he's everybody's favourite. He holds a special place in our hearts. I just have no words for him – he's unbelievable."

Skelton strikes

Skelton sent just two runners to Kempton on Sunday and came back with a double after Boombawn claimed Listed honours in the 2m novice hurdle under Harry Skelton.

The five-year-old prevailed in a duel to line with Teddy Blue to follow up on stablemate Ridgeway's victory in the 2m2f novice handicap chase.

Boombawn (left): future chaser lands Listed honours at Kempton under Harry SkeltonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Skelton's assistant trainer Tom Messenger said: "This was always the early season target for Boombawn and he was really ready for today, so we're thrilled with the win.

"We're trying to look after him as he could be a nice chaser next year, so we're not going to over-race him. We were pleased with his attitude as last season he might not have fought like that."

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