NICKY Richards’ horses invariably run well here on their trips down from Cumbria and he may have thought that Simply Ned, in front four out and moving well, was about to win the classy looking Schloer Chase.

However, Alan King’s Sceau Royal, heavily backed at 11/8 and 5/4, went on between the last two for Daryl Jacob and then held his rival’s determined rally by just over two lengths. They were a dozen lengths ahead of Forest Bihan.