IT’S SCEAU UNLUCKY
King forced to rule in-form Royal out of Arkle
LEADING Arkle Novices’ Chase fancy Sceau Royal will miss the race after suffering a setback.
The Alan King-trained six-yearold, who is four from five over fences this season, was as short as 5-1 third favourite for the Grade One contest next Tuesday.
King (right) said: “It is just a little niggle, but it is enough to stop us and we have taken the decision we will not be taking him to the Festival.
“It’s a shame, but this is what happens with horses unfortunately.
“The owners, Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, will have a look at him with the vet this week and we will discuss what to do then.
“But we won’t take any chances – if you push now, you may have no horse left. If we feel he is not right, we will stop for the season.”
Sceau Royal’s omission saw Betway cut hot favourite Footpad from 11-8 to 5-4, while other leading fancies Petit Mouchoir, Saint Calvados and Brain Power were also shortened. Munir and Souede still have hopes of Festival success with Terrefort, who they may now send to the JLT Novices’ Chase on Thursday week rather than the RSA Chase the previous day.
The Nicky Henderson five-yearold, a general 8-1 shot for the twoand-a-half-mile prize, is unbeaten over fences since joining the Seven Barows handler, winning on his debut at Huntingdon before taking Grade One glory at Sandown.
Anthony Bromley, racing manager to the owners, said: “He is now likely to run in the JLT.
“He has got an entry in the RSA, but he is only five and we don’t want to stretch him too far at this stage of his career. I think he is a three-miler in the making for next season.
“Nicky seems happy with him. He’s already a Grade One winner and he deserves to take his chance especially as the ground looks like it will be on the easy side.”