Sceau Royal set for showdown with Altior after winning return

A clash with Altior in next month’s Tingle Creek lies in store for Sceau Royal after he made a successful return to action in the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham yesterday.

Making his first start since recovering from a suspensory injury sustained in January, the Alan King-trained sixyear-old looked as good as ever when consigning Simply Ned to second spot in the Grade Two for the third time in his career with a two-and-a-half-length success.

King said of the 5-4 winner: “It was lovely. You always worry slightly after being off with an injury, but this was the only place to start him. It scares the life out me taking on Altior, but why not? Someone has got to take him on. This horse has won round Sandown, and we’re going to be match fit, but we’re under no illusions.”

Lalor laid down a marker that he could be a serious contender at next year’s Cheltenham Festival with victory in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial Novices’ Chase.

Now trained by Kayley Woollacott following the sudden death of her husband Richard in January, the six-year-old looked a potential star with a seven-length victory in the Grade Two contest.

Jonjo O’neill enjoyed a proud dad moment after supplying his son Jonjo junior with his first winner at the track via Palmers Hill (7-1) in the Steve And Sue Ibberson Happy Retirement Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.