Il Est Francais 'definitely' heading to Cheltenham Festival - but Clarence House could be key to deciding which race
Noel George says he will be keeping a close eye on Saturday's Clarence House to help decide which big Cheltenham Festival chase Il Est Francais will run in.
A gallant runner-up in the King George over three miles on Boxing Day after James Reveley had attempted to make all, Il Est Francais was given an entry in all three open Grade 1 chases at the festival, with the 3m2f Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, the intermediate 2m4½f trip of the Ryanair, and the speed test of the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase over two miles all still on the table.
A potential return to Kempton for the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase over the same course and three-mile distance as the King George has been put on the back-burner by connections, who are instead aiming to have the seven-year-old cherry ripe for both spring festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree.
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Published on inCheltenham Festival
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