George points to Cheltenham track after Francais defeat

Noel George felt the Cheltenham experiment failed to pay off with Il Est Francais following his stable star’s disappointing effort in the Ryanair Chase.

Only reeled in late by Banbridge following a buccaneering front-running performance in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, the seven-year-old was given a trio of options for his Festival debut and ultimately took the intermediate test over the Champion Chase and Gold Cup.

After initially taking a lead off Jungle Boogie, Il Est Francais was allowed to stride on in front by James Reveley heading out onto the second circuit and he produced some prodigious leaps.

However, he looked a sitting duck for the strong-travelling 6-4 favourite and eventual winner Fact To File before the home turn and was a spent force in the straight, eventually finishing a tired sixth.

George, who trains Il Est Francais in partnership with Amanda Zetterholm, said: “James said he was very happy with him and said he was nearly flat out as they went very fast early on.

“He was nice and relaxed and then turning down the back he’s wanted to let him bowl and do his thing and he probably is better right-handed as he was always going a little bit right, even though he was putting in those big leaps.

“When the winner has come past him, James said he had nothing to give. The winner is obviously very good, but I’d say it’s probably not our optimum track.”

While immediate plans for Il Est Francais are uncertain, George already has one eye on a second tilt at the King George in December, adding: “There’s no signs of any issues and where we go from now, we’ll have to see how he comes out of it. We’re looking forward to Kempton at Christmas!”

Henry de Bromhead saddled the second and third home in the improving Heart Wood and old stager Envoi Allen, who was running in the race for third time having struck gold two years ago and finished second last season.

“It was a really good race I thought and they went a savage pace. The winner is obviously very, very good and I’m delighted with both of our horses,” said the trainer.

“Heart Wood ran a cracker, he’s only a baby and he’s coming along really nicely, and Envoi was really tough and really toughed it out up the hill to hold on to third. He’s 11 now and owes us nothing and I thought he ran an absolute belter.

“I think this is Heart Wood’s trip. I tried three miles a couple of times and he just wasn’t getting home, although he is only seven, so we’ll see.”

Last year’s winner Protektorat had to make do with fourth place this time around, but his trainer Dan Skelton was not making any excuses.

He said: “We’re happy with him, it was a better renewal this year probably and fair play to the winner, who looked very, very impressive.

“Envoi Allen got the better of us this year and we got the better of him last year, but there was only a few lengths in it. The other ones are just a little bit better than us this year.

“Maybe softer ground would suit us a bit better at this stage, but I’m not making any excuses about the ground. We’re very proud of him, he’s worn his heart on his sleeve again and never wants to let anyone down.

“We’ll go to Aintree. He’s 10 years old and as I said to Ged (Mason, part-owner), in two years time we won’t be able to run him, so we’ll run him while he’s ready.”