Un De Sceaux well set for season even after Altior defeat

Trainer Willie Mullins is looking forward to the rest of the campaign with Un De Sceaux after his flamboyant performer finished a highly creditable second to Altior in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

Un De Sceaux, who had taken the two-mile prize in 2016, lost nothing in defeat as he went down by four lengths to Nicky Henderson’s ace.

“He’s fine. He travelled home last night, we weren’t sure if they would travel horses on the ferry, but we got them home. He was fine this morning,” said Mullins yesterday.

“I was very pleased with Un De Sceaux, he put in a fantastic performance. I thought he couldn’t have done much better and he was just beaten by a better horse on the day.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season with him.”

Connections of Presenting Percy hinted yesterday that a supplementary entry for the 32Red King George VI Chase was possible if conditions looked like being more suitable in Britain than in Ireland.

Owner Philip Reynolds and trainer Pat Kelly are aiming the Gold Cup favourite firmly at the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on Dec 28 – but Kempton’s feature two days earlier might yet prove an option if the ground was unsuitably quick in Ireland.