“He’s got everything you’d want in a horse” – Gold Cup winner?

Paul Townend after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Royale Pagaille could be the new pretender on the scene for trainer Venetia Williams. Jockey Charlie Deutsch believes the seven-year-old could run a huge race in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup if connections dare to take that route.

A hugely impressive winner of Haydock’s Peter Marsh Chase on Saturday, he is now the shortest-priced British-trained horse in the Gold Cup betting.

Trainer Venetia Williams and owners Susannah and Rich Ricci will discuss Cheltenham Festival plans in the coming days. The alternative option to the Gold Cup would be the National Hunt Chase.

Deutsch rode Royale Pagaille on his four starts on British soil before his Haydock run where Tom Scudamore took over. He is certain that the horse has a huge amount of ability.

“He’s got everything you’d want in a horse: he stays, he jumps and he’s a great galloper,” he said. “He couldn’t have been any more impressive and he feels like a proper horse, so I can see why people are getting excited about him. On paper what he’s done would definitely justify the hype he’s getting.”

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Gold Cup winner?

Deutsch, who finished seventh on Yala Enki in the 2019 Gold Cup, admitted that there are pros and cons in making a final decision.

“He could run in a Gold Cup and he would deserve to go for a race like that,” he said. “He also stays well, so you wouldn’t worry about going for a National Hunt Chase.

“It’s a tricky one because if he went and won the National Hunt Chase easily you could end up kicking yourself for not running in the Gold Cup. The opposite is true if you missed the race and were beaten in the Gold Cup.

“I’ve ridden in a Gold Cup before and I certainly think he would be competitive. He would be able to go with them and while his jumping isn’t flashy, it’s efficient. I would have confidence going into a Gold Cup with him and he wouldn’t be out of his depth.”

Where can you back Royale Pagaille?

William Hill are offering very decent odds of 11-1 for Royale Pagaille to win the showpiece event at Cheltenham in March. They are offering 11-2 for the National Hunt Chase, the easier route. Take full advantage of their new customer offer below if you don’t have an account.

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