'He seems to be the horse to beat' - King George favourite Il Est Francais back on track after Auteuil success

Noel George forecast "exciting times ahead" for Ladbrokes King George VI Chase favourite Il Est Francais after his emphatic return to form at Auteuil.

George believes there is better still to come from the high-class French chaser, who is 7-2 market leader for the Boxing Day showpiece with the sponsors.

Il Est Francais was the hugely impressive winner of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase on the King George card at Kempton last season, only to trail in a remote last of five when 30-100 favourite for a Grade 2 at Auteuil in April.

However, the six-year-old left that form well behind when galloping to a seven-length victory in the Grade 3 Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy in Paris on Saturday, and George, who trains him in partnership with Amanda Zetterholm, said: "It was a very good day. He seems to be back to his best and he'll improve a lot for it. There's a lot to look forward to, lots to build on. There are exciting times ahead.

"It's a big relief to get him back, but we'd been seeing the right signs at home. The plan is he'll run in the Prix la Haye Jousselin and then the King George. They're two big races to aim for, but he seems to be the horse to beat in them at the moment."

Noel George: "We've got him back now and he seems to be at his best"Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Il Est Francais is a best-priced 4-1 chance for the King George, with Punchestown Gold Cup winner Fastorslow (best at 9-2) and last season's brilliant novice Fact To File (7-1) and Gaelic Warrior (10-1) his main market rivals.

"I think Kempton is definitely his style of track," said George. "He was very impressive there before. We can't really compare to the Irish form, but I'm not scared of any English horses.

"Every question we've asked he's answered with flying colours. Yes, he disappointed in the spring, but we've got him back now and he seems to be at his best."

Il Est Francais has won all bar two of his 11 starts over obstacles, and George warned: "I think he's still on the up. He's got stronger, he's more mature. He's exuberant with his style of racing but, with the freshness out of him after a run, he'll be better again as well."

The Fellow won the Haye Jousselin on his way to landing the 1991 King George, while First Gold completed the double in 2000. They contributed to a run of five French successes in the Kempton highlight in 13 years, but no horse has taken the prize back across the Channel since First Gold's win.

Martin Brassil is aiming Fastorslow at the John Durkan Chase before a likely crack at the King George, and said last week: "I think the race would suit him. He's a great jumper and a strong traveller so he has a lot of things you need in a King George horse."

Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Kempton, December 26)

Ladbrokes: 7-2 Il Est Francais, 4 Fastorslow, 6 Fact To File, 8 Gaelic Warrior, 10 Galopin Des Champs, Gerri Colombe, 12 bar

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'He has a lot of things you need in a King George horse' - Galopin Des Champs' nemesis Fastorslow to be aimed at Kempton  

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