Sceau Royal and Footpad both set for Champion date for Munir and Souede

Owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede are likely to be doubly represented in the Stan James Champion Hurdle by both Sceau Royal and Footpad.Alan King's Sceau Royal finished third in the Kingwell Hurdle behind stablemate Yanworth on Saturday, putting behind him a disappointing run in the Fighting Fifth."We were happy enough with him and he'll go to the Champion Hurdle now, where else can he go with his rating?" said Anthony Bromley, racing manager to the owners."He'd be nearly top weight in the County and he's not a horse to go over two and a half at Aintree."At the end of the day, Yanworth is nearly favourite for the Champion Hurdle and we weren't beaten that far."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."Footpad, trained by Willie Mullins, chased home Petit Mouchoir in the Irish Champion Hurdle."Footpad is also in the Stayers' but it would be a big ask to tackle three miles for the first time at Cheltenham," said Bromley."He's been brought along slowly this season and while I'm sure he'll stay three miles when he tackles fences, I suspect he'll run in the Champion too."That could alter, but that's what we're thinking at the moment."In the back of our minds he could be one to go back to France where he could run in the Prix La Barka and the likes."