Horse racing news: Il Est Francais given query rating by Timeform
Timeform have handed last year’s King George runner-up Il Est Francais a query rating (?) ahead of his bid to go one better in this year’s Boxing Day feature, meaning Tom George’s seven-year-old is considered out of form and cannot be assessed with confidence.
Il Est Francais was imperious when winning the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase on Kempton’s Boxing Day card two years ago, beating a high-class Hermes Allen by 11 lengths and looking like one who could dominate the staying chase division for years to come.
He has lacked consistency since, though, clearly not the easiest horse to train, and even though he recorded an excellent effort when runner-up to Banbridge in the King George 12 months ago, Il Est Francais arrives with plenty to prove in this year’s renewal.
The seven-year-old has only managed to win a couple of minor events in France since looking like one out of the top drawer, and his most recent start when pulled up in the 1965 Chase won by Jango Baie at Ascot, his first since rejoining Tom George, was most disappointing.
Il Est Francais looked as though the run would bring him on beforehand, but it was alarming how quickly he stopped in a matter of strides, suggesting he may have had another ailing problem.
Timeform Jumps Editor Dan Barber said: "There can be no doubting the quality of Il Est Francais on his day – and nor for that matter the merit of his successive performances at Kempton on Boxing Day – but predicting his 'days' has become an increasingly difficult task, whether linked to physical issues or otherwise.
“And after such a tame start for a new yard at Ascot, it seemed prudent to advise customers that we no longer have the faith in him recapturing that top-class form, even back at this track".
READ MORE: ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Ascot and Haydock on Saturday, December 20
Timeform weight-adjusted ratings for the King George VI Chase:
185 Fact To File
184 Gaelic Warrior
178p Jango Baie
175 Djelo
174? Banbridge
170p The Jukebox Man
164 Master Chewy
? Il Est Francais
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