Twenty-three years have passed since a French trainer traversed the Channel to claim the festive highlight of the King George VI Chase at Kempton. Legendary handler Francois Doumen was the man to achieve the feat when saddling First Gold to a brilliant 10-length romp over a field including Florida Pearl, Sea More Business and Edredon Bleu.
Impressive as that victory was, the French have achieved only one placed finish since – when First Gold returned to finish third in 2003. Beating the best of the British on their own patch, not to mention an invariably strong Irish challenge, is no easy task. However, many suspected that 2024 would see that long wait end.
He’s French and He’s Rather Talented
Starting out at the yard of Nicolas De Lageneste, Il Est Francais (He’s French) showed immediate promise in Bumpers, including a close second to Irish Point at Saint-Cloud. Making the switch to the Tom George operation in September 2022, the son of Karaktar rattled off three wins in as many starts, culminating in an eight-length rout in the Grade 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier. George had an explosive talent on his hands.
Taking up residence at the French yard of Tom’s son Noel and Amanda Zetterholm, Il Est Francais left hurdles behind to tackle fences at the beginning of the 2023/24 campaign. He immediately proved a natural over the larger obstacles. Impressive in two events at Auteuil, the strapping bay announced himself as a chaser of the highest order when slamming Hermes Allen by eleven lengths in the 2023 edition of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton.
With that performance coming over the King George VI Chase course and distance, the emerging star rocketed to the top of the market for the 2024 edition of the Boxing Day showpiece.
Cracks Emerge
Following his performance in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, Il Est Francais looked like a worthy market leader for the King George. However, his career hasn’t gone smoothly since. Sent off at odds of 30/100 for the Grand Steeple-Chase Masters, the mount of James Reveley inexplicably flopped to finish a distance last of the five runners.
Grand Steeple-Chase Masters – Prix Murat 2024 Result
| Horse | SP | Distance to Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Youtwo Glass | 105/10 | – |
| 2nd | Gallipoli | 9/2 | Neck |
| 3rd | Gran Diose | 73/10 | 8¼ Lengths |
| 4th | Chorail Debelair | 20/1 | 17 Lengths |
| 5th | Il Est Francais | 30/100 | 55¼ Lengths |
Nevertheless, all horses can be forgiven an off day. Perhaps the horse was simply in need of a rest following his exertions over the previous 18 months. Granted a 175-day break following that disappointment, all eyes were on Auteuil for his seasonal return in the Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy. To the delight of his supporters, Il Est Francais bounced right back to form. Cruising home seven lengths clear, it seemed he was back on track for his King George date with destiny.
Or then again, maybe not. For his next assignment, Il Est Francais returned to Auteuil for the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousslein on the 17th November. Again, starting as the market leader, all appeared to be going smoothly on the first circuit. The second time around was a different story, with Reveley deciding to pull the horse up before the fifth last fence.
A reason may emerge for this latest disappointment, and the horse still has time to recover before Kempton. However, heading to one of the season’s hottest Grade 1 Chases following a pulled-up effort is far from ideal. It was no surprise to see Il Est Francais pushed out to as big as 16/1 in the King George market. Out on his own at the head of the market before that non-completion, he now sits eighth with many firms.
Willie’s Warrior Now the one to beat
The demotion of the newly inconsistent Il Est Francais left a void at the head of the King George market. That void has now been filled. Your new King George favourite, and the only runner available at a single figure price with some firms, is the Willie Mullins-trained Gaelic Warrior.
This Rich Ricci runner began life in France with Hector de Lageneste – nephew of Il Est Francais’s former trainer. Unlike Il Est Francais, Gaelic Warrior didn’t manage to get his head in front in his homeland but has barely stopped winning since joining Mullins in 2023.
Landing the three-mile Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown in his first full season at Closutton, he has proven to be even better over fences. His debut chase campaign included a 15-length beating of subsequent Kim Muir winner Inothewayurthinkin and a Grade 1 double in the Faugheen Novice Chase and Arkle Challenge Trophy. Successful three times at the highest level, proven over the trip, and hailing from the most powerful yard in the sport, this six-year-old may prove tough to beat, even if Il Est Francais returns to his peak.