A closing resolution on Il Est Francais’ Cheltenham Competition project could possibly be made subsequent week, with Noel George admitting he’s favouring a tilt on the Ryanair Chase.
The King George runner-up is ready to drop again in distance at Prestbury Park, with an enterprising run again at two miles within the Queen Mom Champion Chase nonetheless being thought of by the seven-year-old’s French-based coaching staff.
Each Il Est Francais and his Cheltenham-bound stablemate Stencil underwent pre-match observe on the Chantilly education grounds on Wednesday and, with it trying more and more seemingly the French raider will intention on the Ryanair, a conflict with Reality To File could possibly be on the playing cards.
Priced as quick as 3/1 second favorite behind his Willie Mullins-trained rival, George is assured of a daring bid if Il Est Francais meets appropriate situations within the Cotswolds.
“The Cheltenham runners schooled nicely on Wednesday morning and all is nice. At this stage we’re most likely trying on the Ryanair for Il Est Francais,” mentioned George, who trains the gelding with Amanda Zetterholm.
“The climate might play an enormous issue and we do not have to decide till subsequent week actually and something might occur in every week, so there is no such thing as a level speeding.
“I can not see any issues about Cheltenham and you may see with how he jumps he’s such a well-balanced horse. Lots of people appear to be saying he is a flat-track bully, however nobody actually is aware of and I can not see that.
“I believe if it does come up on goodish, recent floor within the Ryanair on the Thursday, I believe he’ll take loads of stopping.”
Stencil ‘thrilling’ contender in Fred Winter
George additionally has excessive hopes for Stencil within the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle after watching the JP McManus-owned teenager chase residence East India Dock on Competition Trials day.
Handed a mark of 135, Stencil is the overall 5/1 market chief for the opening-day handicap, along with his coach describing him as an “thrilling runner”.
“I wish to hope those above him run so we do not have prime weight, however he is an enormous, sturdy horse and I am fairly proud of the mark,” mentioned George.
“Plenty of those above him within the scores I do know from French kind and I do not assume we’re badly in. He is an thrilling runner.
“For me, East India Dock could be my concept of the Triumph Hurdle winner if you take a look at the clock and what Timeform have mentioned and all the things. I believed we ran an awesome race in defeat and have improved somewhat bit since, so we have got our fingers crossed for an excellent run.”
