Masterson Holdings Hurdle
Cheltenham 15:00 £35,000 added, 4yo only, 2m 87y, Class 2
Saturday 22nd October 2016

1 Sceau Royal 9/2
2 Leoncavallo 12/1
3 Gibralfaro 2/1
6 ran Distances: 11l, 4l, ½l
TIME 3m 50.60s (fast by 0.40s)

Sceau Royal is a deeply impressive winner of the Masterson Holdings Hurdle

Sceau Royal
© Racehorse Photos

Alan King has a lot to look forward to with Sceau Royal judged on his impressive comeback in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle for four-year-olds.

The French import was fancied for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at The Festival last season following three wins on the bounce but could only finish 12th and also went on to disappoint at Aintree.

Sceau Royal, owned by Simon Munir & Isaac Souede, jumped and travelled eye-catchingly today under Daryl Jacob and went readily clear after jumping into the lead at the last. Leoncavallo (Mr Alex Ferguson, 12/1) was 11 lengths back in second on his first start for local trainer Ben Pauling, with a further four lengths to King's other runner Gibralfaro (Wayne Hutchinson, 2/1) in third.

King said: "We thought Sceau Royal was very good last year - he won four of his first five - and we fancied him for the Triumph.

"He disappointed at Cheltenham and again at Aintree but my horses weren't right then. He had a good break and we have been very happy with him this autumn.

"He has always worked like a very decent horse. What I liked about today is that last year he used to hit the front and pull himself up whereas today he went right to the line which is very encouraging.

"We will creep away for now. He won a decent race today and we will have to see what we do now. There is a Listed handicap hurdle at Ascot next Saturday but that might come too soon.

"We will see what the handicapper does on Tuesday but there are plenty of options for him - the Elite Hurdle (at Wincanton) perhaps. He has a lot of speed so I won't be frightened of going around Wincanton with him."

Masterson Holdings Hurdle
£35,000 added, 4yo only, 2m 87y, Class 2
6 ran
Going: Good