King George surprise as Willie Mullins scratches all runners including ante-post favourite Gaelic Warrior

Ante-post favourite Gaelic Warrior, an impressive winner of last season's Arkle, did not feature among 16 acceptors on Tuesday for next month's King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The six-year-old, who would have been stepping up to three miles for the first time over fences on Boxing Day, was a general 11-4 chance to provide Willie Mullins with his third King George. 

The trainer will not be represented in the race after scratching all eight of his entries, including dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and Il Etait Temps, a three-time Grade 1 winner last season.

In the absence of Gaelic Warrior, owner Rich Ricci could still be represented by Royale Pagaille, who denied Grey Dawning in Saturday's Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock for Venetia Williams.

Ricci's racing manager Joe Chambers said: "Gaelic Warrior won't be seen until Christmas and Willie would rather his first run was over shorter and probably at home, as opposed to over a longer distance and travelling."

In the reshaped betting market, sponsors Ladbrokes make Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen joint 4-1 favourites.

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase ante-post betting

Ladbrokes: 4 Corbetts Cross, Envoi Allen, 7 L'Homme Presse, 8 Hewick, Il Est Francais, 10 Grey Dawning, 12 Banbridge, Royale Pagaille, 14 Bravemansgame, 16 Found a Fifty, Protektorat, 25 Jungle Boogie, 33 Ahoy Senor, 40 General En Chef, Ginny's Destiny, 50 Ga Law 

King George VI Chase acceptors

Ahoy Senor
Banbridge
Bravemansgame
Corbetts Cross
Envoi Allen
Found A Fifty
Ga Law
General En Chef
Ginny's Destiny
Grey Dawning
Hewick
Il Est Francais
Jungle Boogie
L'Homme Presse
Protektorat
Royale Pagaille

Scratched (all trained by Willie Mullins)

Blue Lord
Capodanno
Il Etait Temps
Ferny Hollow
Gaelic Warrior
Galopin Des Champs
Grangeclare West
Minella Cocooner

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