Il Est Francais, the frontrunner for the King George VI Chase, is gearing up for his latest challenge in the Prix La Haye Jousselin at Auteuil this Sunday. Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s talented chaser made waves last Christmas by clinching the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on his British debut, setting his sights on a return to the Kempton circuit for a highly anticipated run.
Despite encountering his first career defeat over fences last spring at Auteuil, the six-year-old bounced back with a stellar performance in a Grade Three race at the same Parisian track in September. After a summer break, George expressed optimism for Il Est Francais’ upcoming race, stating that the horse is in prime condition and ready for the challenge.
George noted the horse’s impressive recent development, sharing that his performance in training surprised him, prompting an immediate return to the track. “The plan is to run on Sunday, and he’s in great form. He’s really stepped up since his last race, and we’re eagerly looking forward to it,” George remarked.
Currently leading the betting odds at 3-1 for the King George, Il Est Francais was initially considered for a trip to Britain for the Betfair Chase at Haydock. However, his team has opted to keep him local for now, giving him his first experience over nearly three and a half miles this weekend. George explained that the Betfair Chase was simply a backup option, and all focus remains on Sunday’s race, followed by the King George. Aware of the strong competition, George acknowledged the upcoming event will be no easy feat but expressed confidence in the horse’s form.
The George-Zetterholm stable has several other promising horses preparing for British ventures in the coming days. Midnight Exit and Do It Again are set for juvenile hurdles at Hereford and Bangor, while Marvel De Cerisy and Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris third-place finisher General En Chef are lined up for notable races on British soil.
Marvel De Cerisy, a two-mile handicap chase contender, and the impressive novice Kloth Of Utopia, who recently triumphed at Auteuil, are among the stars heading to Ascot. George also mentioned plans for General En Chef to potentially tackle the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, as he feels the course could be ideal for the horse’s running style.
Reflecting on his horses’ potential, George highlighted General En Chef’s third-place finish in the French Gold Cup as evidence of his calibre, noting that the horse is well-suited for a strong showing in Britain. With multiple contenders set to race across the Channel, excitement is high for the George and Zetterholm stable as they prepare for an action-packed season.