Royal flushed with success

SCEAU ROYAL cemented his place in the market as second favourite for the Arkle Trophy with victory in the Lightning Novices’ Chase at at Doncaster yesterday.

Alan King’s six-year-old had won three of his previous four starts over fences, most recently claiming Grade One glory in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in early December.

Despite having to concede weight to each of his three rivals back at Grade Two level, he was the 1-2 favourite and was given a thorough examination by the front-running Shantou Rock.

The latter remained in the lead jumping two fences from home but Sceau Royal wore him down on the run to the last and went on to score by two lengths.

King said: “I’m pleased and relieved. It was a good test for him as they went a very good gallop. I’m just pleased it’s out of the way.

“This was the logical place to come. We had to get a run in as it’s long time between December and March. We gave him a break after Sandown and we’ve left a bit to work on, so I’m happy. Fingers crossed he’ll go straight to Cheltenham now.”

The prolific Maria’s Benefit clinched her fifth successive victory in the Grade Two Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle.

The Stuart Edmundstrained six-year-old was the 10-11 favourite to add to her previous wins this season at Newton Abbot, Sandown, Ludlow and Taunton and bowled along enthusiastically throughout in the hands of Ciaran Gethings.

Irish Roe loomed up ominously in the home straight but Maria’s Benefit dug deep to see her off by three-quarters of a length.

Edmunds said: “That was great. She had to be tough today. She’s very good and very tough and I’m 90 per cent sure she’ll go for the mares’ novice at Cheltenham.

“The ground is tacky enough today and I’d like to think she’ll be better on better ground.”