Farewell to Royal Pagaille

VENETIA Williams has described Royale Pagaille as “kind and gentle but with all the determination you could wish” after announcing the retirement of her dual Betfair Chase hero.

- By ADAM MORGAN

Owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci, he won seven of his 33 career starts, but would become a stalwart of the staying chasing scene and a regular name on the racecard for many of the season's top contests.

His last appearance came at his beloved Haydock in February where he was well-held in the Peter Marsh Chase - a race he had won in both 2021 and 2022 - and heads into retirement with his handler keen to pay tribute to a horse whose absence will be felt by those within her Herefordshire operation.