Sceau Royal could be heading for Fontwell on Sunday

February 23

Sceau Royal has run on 15 different tracks since he joined Alan from France in the summer of 2016, but the plan is to break new ground on Sunday and switch him back to the smaller obstacles for the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell.

Explaining the change of plan, Alan said:”Sceau Royal ran well to finish third in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown last time, but, though we’ve left him in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, following discussions with Anthony Bromley, the owners’ racing manager, we’ve decided that race might be too tough,

“Sceau Royal is 11 years old now and has been a superstar both over fences and hurdles, but I think he prefers hurdles these days and he was in good form when we popped him over a few on Monday.

“Furthermore, the drying ground will be ideal, and the fact that he seems to have lost a little of his speed means that this two miles and three furlongs could suit him. I hope he’ll run well.”