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Willie Mullins’ King George VI Chase ante-post favourite Gaelic Warrior was not among the sixteen acceptances made on Tuesday.
Last year's commanding Arkle winner was a general 11/4 chance to provide Willie Mullins with his third success in the Boxing Day feature at Kempton, but it became clear on Tuesday that the Grade 1 prize would not be heading back to Closutton, as the champion trainer was left without a representative after also removing Il Etait Temps, Ferny Hollow and Galopin Des Champs.
Il Est Francais, who did top the King George market prior to his Auteuil flop earlier this month, remains in the mix for trainers Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, who are also left in the Coral Gold Cup-bound General En Chef.
Last season's King George hero Hewick featured among the entries, but he would need to race under the care of a different trainer with Shark Hanlon due to begin his ban at the beginning of next month.
Gordon Elliott could bid for a first success in the contest with Found A Fifty, while Joseph O'Brien left in Banbridge, who won his sole outing at the track in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase in January.
2022 winner Bravemansgame could take his chance after showing more zest when third in first-time blinkers in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday, while L'Homme Presse, who would have likely finished second behind Paul Nicholls' charge two years ago but for unseating at the final flight, also looks on course for Kempton.
Stablemate Royale Pagaille added a second Betfair Chase to his CV with a gutsy victory over the Dan Skelton-trained runner-up Grey Dawning at Haydock. Both appeared on the King George entry list this afternoon, with the latter perhaps a more surprising inclusion after his gruelling first effort in open company.
Protektorat, Ahoy Senor, Ga Law and Ginny's Destiny round out the home contingent acceptors, with race sponsors Ladbrokes making Emmet Mullins' Corbetts Cross and Henry De Bromhead's Envoi Allen their 4/1 joint-favourites. The latter could also be represented by Jungle Boogie.
Ladbrokes spokesman Alex Apati commented: "Today's news has led to a huge shake-up ahead of this year's Ladbrokes King George. Gaelic Warrior's absence means Corbetts Cross and Envoi Allen both head the betting at the entry stage, with punters leaning towards the latter as things stand."
