'He's way ahead of any staying novice' - Royale Pagaille impresses handicapper

Royale Pagaille's revised handicap mark of 166 following his devastating performance in Saturday's Peter Marsh Chase could prove conservative, according to BHA handicapper Martin Greenwood.

The Venetia Williams-trained novice chaser has become one of the talking horses of the sport over the last six weeks after three impressive handicap performances sparked talk of a possible tilt at the Gold Cup.

If the seven-year-old were to run in the race he would attempt to become only the second horse this century to win the Gold Cup as a novice, following on from Coneygree who was also rated 166 when scoring in 2015. His current rating would make him the joint fourth highest-rated novice chaser alongside Coneygree and Un De Sceaux to run at the festival.