tracked leaders in 3rd, headway before 3 out, chased leader before 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well run-in
tracked leader until before 2 out, soon beaten
in rear in 4th, weakened from 6 out, tailed off
led, ridden and headed before last, kept on and held towards finish
Shantou Rock probably wasn’t suited by being held up last time at Kempton but has now found little off the bridle the last twice. SCEAU ROYAL has won three of his four starts over fences and was only beaten a neck in the other. He’s a strong fancy for the Arkle at Cheltenham in March and should be too strong for his rivals here, despite conceding weight all round. Ballycamp has a long absence to overcome and has a mountain to climb at the weights while Adrien Du Pont has been racing over further since well beaten behind the
Sceau Royal (FR) 11-1 (11-2) In touch, smooth headway after 3 out, led on bit approaching last, ran on strongly, impressive, won at Sandown 2m (1) gs in Dec beating North Hill Harvey (11-2) by 11l, 5 ran.
Adrien Du Pont (FR) 11-10fav (10-10) Raced keenly, jumped well, led at decent pace and soon clear, well clear 3 out until before next, headed and found nil 2 out, 2nd of 3, 9l behind Coney Island (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (2) gs in Dec.
Ballycamp (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked clear leader, close up 9th, ridden after 3 out, outpaced by front pair between last 2, stayed on to regain 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Stephanie Frances (10-7) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Aug.
Shantou Rock (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked winner, hit 8th, pushed along approaching 3 out, held approaching next, hit last, no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 4, 7l behind Cyrname (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) sft in Dec.
