‘We’ll definitely be there’ says top trainer as excitement builds for French star’s King George tilt at Christmas
NOEL GEORGE has confirmed his “outstanding” stable star will “definitely be coming to Kempton” for the King George on Boxing Day.
Il Est Francais blew punters last year when winning a Listed race in France by 11 lengths, before going on to win the Grade 1 Novice’s Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day by the same whopping distance.
Il Est Francais has been compared to five-time King George winner Kauto Star by trainer Paul Nicholls.Times Newspapers Ltd
The six-year-old, who has prompted comparisons to the famous Kauto Star, left Champion trainer Paul Nicholl’s Hermes Allen trailing in the dust on last year’s big Christmas outing.
At the time Nicholls, who was magnanimous in defeat, said: “That’s another Kauto Star was my first reaction to it.”
But George’s hero was unable to follow up the brilliant success, finishing a miserable 55 lengths behind the winner when next seen in April at Auteuil.
The unpredictable superstar was once again back to his best on September 28th last week when he stormed ahead of his rivals in a French Group 3, filling his handler with confidence.
George, 25 and son of Gloucestershire-based trainer Archie George, said: “He will definitely be coming to Kempton at Christmas.
“And he will have definitely needed this run.
“He’s shown everyone how good he is. He sees his jumps and accelerates. He slipped a bit before the ditch and did well to get away with it. Normally, he’s a very good jumper so it’s exciting times.
“He’s a top class horse. Whatever you ask him, he’s capable of doing it. But his races take a bit out of it as he does do it the hard way. He’s such an exuberant horse.”
The next step is France’s top Autumn chase, La Haye Jousselin in the second week of November, before he heads over to Kempton for the mighty King George Grade 1.
The horse, who tends to make mincemeat of his rivals when he shows up, has captured the hearts of punters.
One said on X: “Proper star – will have a huge fan club.”
Another added: “Just wow.”
Tom George is a rising star in France after decamping from our shores during Covid.
The son of the Grade 1 winning trainer took out a joint license with his wife, the Swedish Amanda Zetterholm in 2023 and they power couple have been firing ever since.
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