ROYALE Pagaille shone brightest at his favourite track when upsetting Bravemansgame to land the Betfair Chase at Haydock for Herefordshire trainer Venetia Williams.

The nine-year-old was second in this race in 2021 and returned to the Grade One contest at a price of 5-1 under Charlie Deutsch, having never been out of the first two in four previous trips to the Merseyside venue.

Ledbury Reporter: Royale Pagaille following success at Haydock (Nigel French/PA)Royale Pagaille following success at Haydock (Nigel French/PA) (Image: PA)

Dan Skelton’s Protektorat was occasionally erratic in his jumping and Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler, the reigning Grand National hero, found the race happening at too quick a pace.

It was left to Royale Pagaille and Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame, the 8-11 favourite, to share the lead in the battle for top honours.

And in the closing stages it was Williams’ charge who pushed on, jumping well over the final two fences to claim his biggest success to date by six and a half lengths. Corach Rambler was another nine lengths back in third.

Williams, who has her string in red-hot form, said: "Charlie got him into a great rhythm but he said for the first circuit he was quite laid back and not really grabbing the bridle, it wasn’t until he pulled him out wide that he did.

Ledbury Reporter: Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch with their trophies (Nigel French/PA)Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch with their trophies (Nigel French/PA) (Image: PA)

"He jumped very well, but if you’d seen him school on Thursday you wouldn’t believe it. But that’s him, he shows very little at home and switches it on for the races.

"You’d have to say that’s a career best from him. All horses have their day and have their lesser days. If all the others were at the top of their game then it might put a different light on it. The same applies to us on other days, on this day we were the best."