Willie Mullins causes big King George shake-up after withdrawing horses

Willie Mullins has caused turmoil in the King George VI Chase betting markets by taking all his horses out of the race.

The champion jumps trainer of both Britain and Ireland originally put eight members of his formidable team in the £250,000 St Stephen's Day showpiece at Kempton at the entry stage.

They included Gaelic Warrior, who was promoted to the head of the betting and was generally available at 11-4 after French star Il Est Francais was beaten in his warm-up race.

Yet on Tuesday, Mullins caused a surprise when he removed not only last season’s Arkle Trophy winner Gaelic Warrior but also the rest of his entries in the 3m race.

As a result bookmakers were forced to carry out wholesale changes to the ante-post market for Britain’s Christmas holiday racing highlight.

Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs, Il Etait Temps, who won three times at Grade 1 level last term, Blue Lord, Capodanno, Ferny Hollow, Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner were the other withdrawals.

Envoi Allen, who finished a disappointing seventh of nine when challenging for the King George two years ago, now vies for favouritism with Corbetts Cross, trained by Emmet Mullins.

Envoi Allen: new joint favourite for King George VI Chase
(Image: Getty Images)

Ladbrokes spokesperson Alex Apati said: "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."

Previous race winners Hewick and Bravemansgame remain among the 16 still engaged, as does Il Est Francais, whose connections are awaiting the results of exhaustive tests as they try to get to the bottom of his disappointing run.

Latest Ladbrokes Betting: 4-1 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