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."

Corbetts Cross: joint-favourite for the King George with Envoi AllenCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Following the acceptance stage, sponsors Ladbrokes make the Emmet Mullins-trained Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen, one of two potential contenders for Henry de Bromhead alongside Jungle Boogie, joint 4-1 favourites.

"Today's news has led to a huge shake-up ahead of this year's King George," said Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati. "Gaelic Warrior's absence means Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen head the betting at the entry stage, with punters leaning towards the latter as things stand."

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Last year's winner Hewick and runner-up Bravemansgame remain in contention, while the British challenge could be boosted by L'Homme Presse, last seen finishing fourth in the Gold Cup for Williams. Grey Dawning and Protektorat also featured among the acceptors for the home team alongside Ahoy Senor, Ga Law and Ginny's Destiny. 

Gordon Elliott could bid for a first success with Found A Fifty, winner of the Grade 1 Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree last season, while Joseph O'Brien has left the option open for Banbridge, winner of the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase over a shorter trip on his sole start at Kempton in January. 

The race remains an option for Il Est Francais, who headed the ante-post market before being shunted out to as big as 16-1 after being pulled up at Auteuil last time. Trainers Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm could also be represented by General En Chef, who will line up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday. 

A total of 56 entries were made for next month's Coral Welsh Grand National on Tuesday and they included three returning winners in Nassalam, The Two Amigos and Iwilldoit. The Dan Skelton-trained Galia Des Liteaux is the 10-1 favourite with the sponsors ahead of Mr Vango and Trelawne, available at 12-1, while Monbeg Genius and Yeah Man are next in the market at 14-1. 

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 Lucinda Russell
Banbridge Joseph O'Brien
Bravemansgame Paul Nicholls
Corbetts Cross Emmet Mullins
Envoi Allen Henry de Bromhead
Found A Fifty Gordon Elliott
Ga Law Jamie Snowden
General En Chef Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
Ginny's Destiny Paul Nicholls
Grey Dawning Dan Skelton
Hewick Shark Hanlon
Il Est Francais Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm
Jungle Boogie Henry de Bromhead
L'Homme Presse Venetia Williams
Protektorat Dan Skelton
Royale Pagaille Venetia Williams

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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