Stan James Elite Hurdle |
 |
| Grade 2, Wincanton 14:10 £60,000 added, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 65y, Class 1  |
|
| Saturday 5th November 2016 | |
1 Sceau Royal 4/6F
2 Rayvin Black 7/1
3 Aristo Du Plessis 16/1
NR: Melodic Rendezvous, North Hill Harvey
5 ran Distances: 9l, 28l
TIME 3m 25.30s (fast by 5.70s)
Sceau Royal claims the Elite Hurdle to continue his fine form this season
 |
Alan King's Sceau Royal bounced back to winning form at Cheltenham last month and shrugged off a rise in the weights to beat Rayvin Black after closest rival Zubayr fell at the last when looking beaten.
Sceau Royal had loomed up on the bridle when challenging Zubayr between the final two hurdles and only had to be pushed out without being asked for maximum effort to ensure the win.
Alan King's charge was cut to 20-1 from 25-1 for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March with Sky Bet.
Michael Shinners, spokesman for Sky Bet, said: "Sceau Royal is obviously improving fast and has deserved a shot at the highest level after two comfortable wins this term.
"He's thrown his hat into the ring for the top two-mile hurdle races."
King told Racing UK: "He was always a very good horse last year. We thought he had a great chance in the Triumph but at that time our horse's weren't firing and he disappointed in that.
"He's had a good summer break and we've been happy with his home-work and his two runs have been very impressive.
"I would think that ground is plenty quick enough for him. Hopefully we've got away with it. I'm sure he'll be better with a bit more ease.
"I suppose we have to start thinking about the Champion (Hurdle), but he was only winning off a mark of 149.
"The Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Newcastle) has been mentioned but that's three only weeks away. I wouldn't mind waiting for the Christmas Hurdle (Kempton), but I'll have to speak to the owners."
Stan James Elite Hurdle (Limited Handicap)
£60,000 added, 4yo plus, 1m 7f 65y, Class 1
5 ran
Going: Good
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Sceau Royal (FR) 4/6f | D A Jacob 11-10 |
A King | 4 | |
| 2nd | 9 | Rayvin Black 7/1 | Thomas Garner (3) 11-5 |
O Sherwood | 7 |
| 3rd | 28 | Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 16/1 | Dale Irving (5) 11-10 |
J Ewart | 6 |
| F | Zubayr (IRE) 2/1 | Harry Cobden (3) 11-4 |
P F Nicholls | 4 | |
| UR | Peckhamecho (IRE) 100/1 | Patrick Cowley (7) 10-8 |
Mrs S Leech | 10 | |
| WN | North Hill Harvey 3/1 | Harry Skelton 11-2 |
D Skelton | 5 | |
| NR | Melodic Rendezvous 25/1 | Matt Griffiths 11-0 |
J Scott | 10 |
