Tom George wins more than €180,000 prize-money in three-month French stint

Tom George and son Noel can look back at a profitable first three months of running a satellite yard in Chantilly after 2019 Arkle Chase hero Duc Des Genievres featured in a double for the yard at Compiegne on Tuesday evening.

Under France Galop rules the team has been allowed a three-month licence to run the operation, with Noel now planning on completing his trainers' course in order to make the Chantilly stable a permanent feature from early next year.

With Tom selecting which horses to cycle in and out of France and for how long, the team has earned more than €180,000 prize-money in the first three-month stint, as well as welcoming some exciting recruits which include Duc Des Genievres, Lil' Rockerfeller and Garde La Victoire.

"It's nice to get a horse like Duc Des Genievres back, especially as we haven't had him long," said Noel George. "When he was second at Auteuil we'd only had him for two weeks and he'd been in the field for two weeks following his run at Aintree, so he was always bound to improve for the run."

James Reveley always had his rivals covered on Duc Des Genievres in the conditions hurdle over two miles, but half an hour later he was all out as Minella For Me defied a welter burden in a claiming chase.

Although his stablemate is a first horse to be sent to the Georges by Jared Sullivan, Minella For Me carried the colours of longtime supporter Simon Clark, the owner of Nacarat and Module.

Noel George supervises training in ChantillyCredit: Tom George Racing

"Minella For Me is a good example of the kinds of opportunities there are out here," said Noel George.

"He was at the limit of his handicap in England but was able to come out and win a valuable race first time. He's had to run in better races since but still picked up a bit of money, and yesterday he won and was then claimed for €27,000.

"In his three months here, including his claiming fee, Minella For Me earned €67,000, which is more than he would have fetched at the sales in England."

George hopes to be granted a second temporary licence in September, while he may still have runners to manage in between working for Fabrice Chappet over the summer.

George said: "Duc Des Genievres goes home on Wednesday but there's the potential to bring him back a couple of days ahead of running, as there are a couple of nice Listed races at Auteuil. And he'll definitely be coming back in the autumn.

"I don't think those colours or that horse would have been considered for coming to us without this option. It's attracted a lot of new clients."

He added: "If I pass the first round in September we then get another three months and then the main trainers' course is in December. Hopefully, by the time Pau is over and Auteuil starts up again [next February] it should be all in my name.

"I'd like to think I'll have a few Flat horses as well. It's something I've always been interested in and a lot of the big yards like Joseph O'Brien have both strings to their bow. I think it's a very accessible way to attract new clients."

Tuesday's results and analysis

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets