Venetia Williams has suffered a blow as Royale Pagaille has been ruled out of the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day with a sore foot.
The Kempton festive feature has suffered a handful of blows in recent days with previous ante-post favourite Gerri Colombe heading to Leopardstown alongside the announcement of Royale Pagaille's absentee.
In a statement released by trainer Venetia Williams, she said: "Unfortunately Royale Pagaille is unable to run in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day due to a sore foot.
"The timing is probably more painful than the foot itself, and hopefully he will bid for a third Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January."
The Herefordshire-based trainer landed the Grade 1 prize back in 1998 courtesy of Teeton Mill and she looked to have every chance in last year's renewal when L'Homme Presse unseated stable jockey Charlie Deutsch at the final flight.
Royale Pagaille was heading into the King George VI Chase a general 8/1 chance on the back of his clear career-best performance when defeating Bravemansgame in last month's Betfair Chase at Haydock. It was a first top-level success for the nine-year-old who now looks set to contest the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January.
The news of the absence of both Royale Pagaille and Gerri Colombe has seen a shake-up in the market for the Tuesday feature, with Paddy Power making Allaho their 11/8 favourite. The Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame is a 2/1 chance to defend his crown with Shishkin next best in the betting at 4/1.
