Il Est Francais makes eagerly anticipated return ahead of future Grade 1 targets
Il Est Francais starts out on a road that should lead to the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase when he lines up in the Grade 3 Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy Chase (4.00) at Auteuil.
Trained by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, Il Est Francais finished well beaten on his most recent outing in April, which in itself was the six-year-old’s only outing since his runaway success in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton last year.
Tests conducted following his defeat in April did not find any definitive cause for Il Est Francais’s below-par performance, with connections opting to end his season shortly after that following a “slightly flat” piece of work.
George, who trains Il Est Francais for co-owners Richard Kelvin-Hughes and Nicolas de Lageneste, said his stable star was building up well for his return following his summer break.
“He’s in good shape and we’re looking forward to getting him back on track,” George said. “He had a good break over the summer and he’s as ready as he can be for this race. It should put him spot on for a Grade 1 in the second week of November – the Prix la Haye Jousselin.
“That’s very much his main target and hopefully he can keep going on to better things after that.”
Il Est Francais is a general 5-1 chance for the King George VI Chase on December 26 behind Fastorslow, and George added: “He won’t be going to England before the King George but we are firstly hoping for a good performance on Saturday.”
Among the seven runners taking on Il Est Francais is Gold Tweet, the winner of last year’s Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The seven-year-old, trained by Gabriel Leenders, was last seen finishing down the field in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris but drops by a mile in trip for Saturday’s contest.
Read more previews:
'He handled soft ground well when winning at Galway' - Aidan O'Brien goes for Royal Lodge record
Unbeaten fillies Babouche and Lake Victoria go head to head in Cheveley Park Stakes
Can Whistlejacket tough it out this time? Key analysis and quotes for the Middle Park Stakes
'He's in the form of his life' - key trainer quotes for the Cambridgeshire
Can Jessica Harrington break Ballydoyle's Beresford stranglehold with Hotazhell?
Antelope Canyon could be tough to beat in Goffs Million after impressive win at Naas
The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels! Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.
- 3.57 Ascot: 'He's improving with racing' - Tabletalk should have a big say in Listed Noel Murless
- A daughter of Camelot and Quevega and 13-length maiden scorer bid for Listed success - punting pointers for Friday's meetings
- Three things to note on Friday - Jonathan Harding casts his eye over the day's action
- 4.30 Ascot: last year's winner bids to capitalise on tumbling mark in competitive handicap
- 6.15 Dundalk: runaway Naas winner Revoke set for big test on first foray into Listed company
- Next Manchester United manager odds + get £30 in free bets with bet365's betting offer
- Porto vs Manchester United betting offer: get a huge £140 in Europa League free bets from Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet
- Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich Champions League betting offer: bet £10 and get £50 in free bets
- US election latest odds and betting offer: get £60 in free bets with William Hill
- 3.57 Ascot: 'He's improving with racing' - Tabletalk should have a big say in Listed Noel Murless
- A daughter of Camelot and Quevega and 13-length maiden scorer bid for Listed success - punting pointers for Friday's meetings
- Three things to note on Friday - Jonathan Harding casts his eye over the day's action
- 4.30 Ascot: last year's winner bids to capitalise on tumbling mark in competitive handicap
- 6.15 Dundalk: runaway Naas winner Revoke set for big test on first foray into Listed company
- Next Manchester United manager odds + get £30 in free bets with bet365's betting offer
- Porto vs Manchester United betting offer: get a huge £140 in Europa League free bets from Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet
- Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich Champions League betting offer: bet £10 and get £50 in free bets
- US election latest odds and betting offer: get £60 in free bets with William Hill