Popular stalwart bids to complete Listed race hat-trick at Kempton on Sunday 😍

There’s a notable runner at Kempton on Sunday as a popular 11-year-old that has been around the block a few times makes his seasonal debut. The horse in question has contested 19 Grade 1 contests over the years and is a household name. Trained by Alan King, he has won the last two renewals of Kempton’s feature race and bids for the hat-trick here. You can check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

4.05 Kempton

Sceau Royal (1-1, William Hill) is set to reappear in the £50,000 Listed Trustatrader Approved And Reviewed Trades People Hurdle. He obliged with little difficulty in the race last year and the second went on to beat Stage Star in a Grade 2 novice chase. In 2021 he ended two-time winner Silver Streak’s winning run in the race.

This horse is admirably adaptable and runs his race more often than not, whether that’s over hurdles or fences. Alan King’s charge was heavily beaten twice by Constitution Hill last season but there’s certainly no shame in that. He was second in a Grade 2 over hurdles and third in a Grade 1 chase last season so he appears to be holding his form well, despite his advancing age.

It’s an interesting renewal this year and Paul Nicholls’ Rubaud is a strong challenger. Rubaud won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Kempton in January and followed that up with a commanding win in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr. Nicky Henderson’s First Street is also of interest but the weight conditions are in Sceau Royal’s favour.

Daryl Jacob has ridden this horse 41 times and the pair have tasted victory on 15 occasions so it’s fair to say you wouldn’t want to rule out another here.

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