Connections of Il Est Francais upbeat on King George challenge

Three runners trained in France will attempt to become the first winner of the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase from across the Channel since First Gold in 2000.

Almost a quarter of a century has now passed since the last of Francois Doumen’s five winners, but there was a time when the French challenge was offered the utmost respect.

Doumen caused a huge shock when Nupsala downed Desert Orchid in 1987, the only horse to do so in a five-year period in which David Elsworth’s incredible grey was almost unbeatable at Kempton.

Two wins for The Fellow in 1991 and 1992 preceded Algan in 1994 and according to the betting, Il Est Francais is the most likely of the trio to come out on top.

Well known to Kempton regulars, having already won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase in a time five seconds faster than Hewick won the King George last year, he has developed a habit of breaking blood vessels, which is obviously not ideal.

Noel George, who trains the six-year-old in partnership with Amanda Zetterholm, said: “The horse is in great form, he’s got an unbelievable coat on him and everything we’ve asked of him since (being pulled at Auteuil last month), he has passed with flying colours.

“There’s been a lot of work gone into him with my vets and my staff and we’ve got the green light since his last piece of work, so we’re looking forward to bringing him back to Kempton.

“He burst a blood vessel last time. It’s not the first time he’s done it and every time it’s happened, it’s been at Auteuil. We’re just hoping he can put in the performance he did last year at Kempton, he seems in the same form, and if he does, we’ve got a great chance.

“The most important thing is the horse doesn’t do it at home, which he never has. It’s happened a couple of times and only ever at the races, so all we can do is avoid it happening at home, which it never does.

“Maybe certain circumstances might cause it, but we know that he loves Kempton and the good ground will definitely suit him.”

When asked if he would pick good ground for his charge, George said: “One hundred per cent. He’s a horse who wins his races through his jumping exuberance and his stride, so he’s definitely better on good ground than heavy.

“He’s won Grade Ones over hurdles dropping in over the first three or four obstacles and then letting him bowl along. I think the main thing is, you don’t want to work against him, if he wants to bowl and wing fences, then let him do that.

“If he gets into the rhythm he did last year, then it will be difficult to lay up with him.

“He’s always maturing, he’s only six, so he is bigger and stronger and more mature physically. The horse looks great.”

George and Zetterholm are also running General En Chef, who travelled like the best horse in the Coral Gold Cup last month before weakening to finish fourth. This time, a change in headgear has been applied to help him finish his race stronger.

“I think he’s going to run a massive race. I’ve never had him as good as he is. His first ever run over British fences, he was fourth in the Hennessy (Coral Gold Cup),” George said on a Zoom call organised by the Jockey Club.

“He probably got there a little bit too soon. We’re going to drop him in, we know it will be an end-to-end gallop and it’s an easier finish than at Newbury.

“I think he’s definitely got a good place chance anyway.

“He didn’t start once at Auteuil and always had the hood on. Because he didn’t start, I took the hood off, but he hasn’t quite been seeing out his races, so I’ve put the hood back on to help him relax and if he did hit the front, the cheekpieces are there to hopefully mean that he stays there.

“They are both half English-owned. We’re not going to come over for Mickey Mouse races but if you can be competitive in a race like the King George, it’s a dream for any owner.”

Summing up Il Est Francais’ chance, George concluded: “Physically, I think he has improved from last year but obviously we are not coming in with the perfect preparation. If it goes the way it went last year, with no health problems, then I think he’ll be very difficult to beat.”

The third French challenger is the supplemented Juntos Ganamos, trained by David Cottin, who enjoyed a Grade Two winner at Cheltenham’s last meeting with Jet Blue.

“I think he’s a very good horse with a lot of class, I’m hoping I’m not wrong,” said Cottin.

“Last time when he ran, he made a mistake at a crucial point in the race. Despite that, it was a good performance and I hope he can reproduce that.

“He made a mistake with five furlongs to run and that’s where he lost the race, I think he could have won without that.

“I don’t think he has to run from the front, he can also be ridden from behind – like any good horse, he can adapt to the race.

“I’m happy with the ground, most importantly it will be a race with a lot of pace and that is what my horse needs, as that suits him down to the ground.

“I’m not saying we are going to win, but I’m coming with a horse who is in good form.”

A total of 11 have been declared, including Grey Dawning and Spillane’s Tower, although there is a potential doubt about the participation of Emmet Mullins’ Corbetts Cross on account of the quickening ground.

Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge and Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen also make the journey across the Irish Sea, but Hewick has not been declared, with connections opting to instead run him over hurdles at Leopardstown later in the week.

The 2022 King George hero Bravemansgame bids to regain his crown and provide trainer Paul Nicholls with a record-extending 14th victory in the race.

The field is completed by L’Homme Presse, who makes his first appearance since finishing fourth in last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup for Venetia Williams, and Patrick Neville’s Charlie Hall Chase winner The Real Whacker, who will be partnered by Gavin Sheehan, who steered Hewick to glory 12 months ago.