Leading Arkle hope Sceau Royal to miss Cheltenham Festival

Sceau Royal has suffered a setback and will miss the Racing Post Arkle Chase at Cheltenham.

Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's chaser had been a leading fancy for the race ever since a Grade 1 victory under Daryl Jacob at Sandown last December.

But trainer Alan King told the Racing Post on Monday: "He's had a slight setback which prevents me from preparing him for Cheltenham.

Alan King: reported a slight training setbackCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"We'll review the situation in the next few days and decide whether he runs again this season or we put him away. You can't take a chance with a horse – if you push now, you may have no horse left."

The trainer added: "I'm hugely disappointed for Simon and Isaac, for my team and for Daryl."

The news had an immediate impact on the Arkle market, with favourite Footpad now no bigger than 11-8 (from 13-8) and other leading fancies Petit Mouchoir, Saint Calvados and Brain Power also being shortened.

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