chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
tracked leader, jumped well, challenging when not fluent 2 out, soon led, clear flat, easily
held up in last, not always fluent and sometimes went left, hampered 3 out, soon weakened, went 4th before 2 out
chased leaders, took keen hold, ridden and weakened after 3 out
led, jumped big and slow 1st, ridden and headed after 2 out, no impression on winner, one pace
This was once a genuine Triumph Hurdle trial but it's lost a bit of its gloss in recent years. SCEAU ROYAL can buck that trend, however, as his defeat of Adrien Du Pont at Cheltenham last month was boosted when the runner-up landed the Grade 1 Finale Hurdle at Chepstow last week – Alan King's French import is impossible to oppose. Burner has shown little so far and Diamond Reflection faces a stiff task on debut. Perceus had nothing to beat at Uttoxeter while dual winner Darebin has been found wanting when upped in class previously.
Darebin (GER) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, no impression, modest 5th before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 35 1/2l behind Gibralfaro (10-12) at Kempton 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Sceau Royal (FR) 7-4 (11-7) Held up in 4th, not fluent 3 out, closed 2 out, challenged last, soon led, in command final 100 yards, stayed on well, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) sft in Dec beating Adrien Du Pont (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Burner (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, not fluent 3rd or 4th, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, weakened before 2 out, went left last, last of 4, dist behind Sneaking Budge (10-12) at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Jan.
Diamond Reflection (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Mid-division, on outside, headway when hung left over 2f out, stayed on closing stages, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Baylay (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Perceus 1-8fav (10-12) Made all, drew clear from 4 out, unchallenged after, mistake last, canter, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Dec beating Duc de Seville (10-12) by dist, 3 ran.
