Sceau Royal to shine again over fences

Tips: Five-year-old can enjoy success after impressing over larger obstacles

Cheltenham opens its doors for the first time this season and connections of SCEAU ROYAL will be hoping to be back here at the festival next year.

The five-year-old finished sixth in the Champion Hurdle back in March, a run which only served to underline the fact he is a little short of top-class over hurdles.

However, Sceau Royal must have delighted trainer Alan King on his first start over fences, running out a comfortable four-and-a-half-length winner at Warwick at the start of the month.

He looked a natural over the larger obstacles, hardly being pressed to claim the verdict, and while the squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase is a step up, Sceau Royal should once again shine.

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori can make it a profitable double at Newbury with ROYAL LINE and FIRST ELEVEN.

Royal Line steps up a notch in class for the British Stallion Studs EBF Conditions Stakes having absolutely hosed up at Haydock on his most recent start.

While he won by just over two lengths that day, he was eased right down in the finish in the manner of a potentially smart horse.

First Eleven has fluffed the start on his two outings to date but if he can pull it together this time, the second division of the Join Hot To Trot For 2018 Novice Stakes looks eminently winnable.

Bred to be a Classic contender as a Frankel half-brother to Kingman, First Eleven has just given himself too much to do with his tardy starts and Gosden will surely have him well drilled in that area now. SELECTIONS: CHELTENHAM: 2.00 Its All Guesswork, 2.35 SCEAU ROYAL (NAP), 3.10 Buckle Street, 3.45 Beat That, 4.20 Indian Castle, 4.55 Gortroe Joe, 5.30 Our Kylie.

NEWBURY: 1.10 Blue Mist, 1.40 No More Thrills, 2.15 First Eleven, 2.50 Harmonise, 3.25 Royal Line, 4.00 Trading Point, 4.35 Dark Magic, 5.10 The New Pharaoh.

DOUBLE: Sceau Royal and Royal Line.