Connections say Sceau Royal will contest the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
Sceau Royal, trained by Alan King, finished a credible third in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton behind stablemate Yanworth on Saturday.
Yanworth is currently rated as the second favourite behind Buveur D’Air with most bookmakers ahead of the Champion Hurdle and Anthony Bromley, racing manager to owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, says the Grade One race on the opening day of the Festival is Sceau Royal’s only realistic Cheltenham target.
“We were happy enough with him and he’ll go to the Champion Hurdle now, where else can he go with his rating?” said Bromley, as reported by Sporting Life.
“He’d be nearly top weight in the County and he’s not a horse to go over two and a half [miles] at Aintree.
“At the end of the day, Yanworth is nearly favourite for the Champion Hurdle and we weren’t beaten that far [on Saturday].
“We know he’ll be going as an outsider but it was probably his best ever run.
“It will be a big ask, but he’s been trained for the race. We’re under no illusions but he’ll like the fast pace and the better ground.”
