Royale Pagaille shocks big two to win the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park

Royale Pagaille (5-1)provided something of a surprise victory as he beat warm favourite Bravemansgame in the Betfair Chase at his beloved Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Venetia Williams-trained nine-year-old outstayed his rivals and scored a fourth victory from five starts at Haydock Park under Charlie Deutsch. Initially he was sat off the pace set by last year's winner, the Dan Skelton-trained Protektorat and Paul Nicholls' 8-11 favourite Bravemansgame, under Daryl Jacob. But he came through to lead as Protektorat faded. He then engaged in a battle for the lead with Bravemansgame after the turn for home, but he began to move clear of his rival at the business end of the extended 3m1f contest. Royale Pagaille, owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci, move clear to score by an impressive five lengths from Bravemansgame with last season's Randox Grand National winner Coarch Rambler staying on to be further nine lengths adrift under Derek Fox. Last year's Betfair Chase hero Protektorat was a further 13 lengths back and last of the four runners.

There could be a quick rematch at Kempton on Boxing Day with Nicholls confirming last year's King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame, now out to 5-2 favourite for the Grade One with some firms, on course to defend his crown. Royale Pagaille, who was a distant second in last year's King George, will also head back to Kempton for the Christmas cracker. Further down the line Williams' Betfair star could line-up in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup for a fourth time at the Cheltenham Festival in March. He was sixth behind Galopin Des Champs in the blue riband at Prestbury Park last March.

But for now Williams, who also won the King George with Teeton Mill in 2008 and the Grand National