jumped left on occasions, chased leader, shaken up to improve approaching 2 out, soon ridden and every chance approaching final flight, kept on flat but not pace of winner
raced in last, struggling when ridden along before 2 out, went modest third soon after final flight, made no telling impression
made all, pushed along before 2 out, three lengths clear when not fluent at final flight, stayed on strongly closing stages
in touch with leaders, ridden along approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Though also a smart chaser, SCEAU ROYAL has won this for the last two years after making a winning return to action over the smaller obstacles. He was also successful as a four-year-old in 2016 and will be hard to beat again. Milkwood won the Grade 2 Scottish Champion Hurdle in 2021 but, along with Knight Salute, is facing a stiff task at the weights in this and Knappers Hill is probably more progressive than both of that pair with his only poor run over hurdles to date coming when failing to handle soft ground and 2m4f at Sandown in March.
Sceau Royal (FR) 4-9fav (11-8) Held up in touch, headway going well home turn, challenged 2 out, soon led and clear last, eased down run-in, easily, won at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct beating Sebastopol (11-2) by 9 1/2l, 5 ran.
Knight Salute 9-2 (11-8) Held up in last, switched left before omitted 3 out, switched right after 2 out, closed before last, went 2nd flat, unable to trouble winner, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Pied Piper (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct.
Knappers Hill (IRE) 16-5 (11-10) Held up in behind leaders, good headway to join leaders before 3 out, soon ridden and led, kept on well run in, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Lord Baddesley (10-6) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Milkwood (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in midfield, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Effernock Fizz (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
