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Has anyone got a link to the interview with Noel George about Il Est Francais that was published today in the Racing Post that they could post here maybe? Thanks to anyone in advance.
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George is banking on the "intelligence and talent" of Il Est Francais as he switches from a successful first attempt over British fences to the very different jumping test of Auteuil in the Prix Murat, a key trial for next month's Grade 1 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, France's version of the Gold Cup.Originally posted by Bollinger View Post
Il Est Francais is unbeaten in two outings over fences at Auteuil but will be tackling the outer course for the first time, meaning he will have to negotiate the biggest obstacle on the track – the Rail, Ditch and Fence or 'Juge de Paix' – for the first time.
"He’s a very special horse and I think he’ll adapt again," said George, who oversaw the six-year-old's final piece of work on Tuesday and will put him through his jumping paces in a schooling session on Wednesday. "He’s schooled a lot over the French obstacles and before Kempton we only schooled him once over the English-style fences."
George said: "When I rang Francois Doumen before we went, he told me that if I trusted my horse to adapt, I should go for it. He’s an intelligent horse and a very talented one so hopefully we can get the win on the board on Saturday and then it’s all guns blazing for the Grand Steeple."
Il Est Francais only made the switch from hurdles to fences in the autumn of his five-year-old career and thus is still a novice in British and Irish terms, though he is obliged to race in open company in France, where age-restricted races at three and four are used to develop young jumpers.
In the Murat he will not only have to readapt to French-style fences but must also carry a Grade 1 penalty for his win in the Kauto Star as he takes on race-fit opposition including stablemate Gallipoli and the talented Gran Diose from the Louisa Carberry yard.
But George is anything but defensive when it comes to his expectations about whether Il Est Francais will be able to overcome those potential pitfalls, and believes he has his stable star fit enough to get the job done.
"Personally I don’t like going to the races when the horse is not ready," said George. "I think horses work on their morale and he’s 90 per cent ready to go. In the Grand Steeple you need to be at 120 so you don’t want to leave too much work for yourself.
"France Galop very kindly opened Chantilly racecourse and he worked over the Prix du Jockey Club course. He worked very well and that’s put him spot on for Saturday. He did his last bit of work on the sand this morning and went very well."
George and joint-trainer Amanda Zetterholm passed up the chance to go for the Turners Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and have selected the Murat over a trip to Aintree to give Il Est Francais some match-practice over the Rail, Ditch and Fence.
George said: "I don’t think it would be an issue if we went straight there but if you’ve got the option to go over it [the Rail, Ditch and Fence] beforehand, you’ve got to take it. I think he should be fine. He likes to come into his races fresh. That’s why we’ve aimed him at this race, as it gives him six weeks until the Grand Steeple."
Asked for his impression of the Turners – won by the Dan Skelton-trained Grey Dawning – George said: "They went very fast but I think our horse has the cruising speed to lay up with them.
"I think the novice to take out of the festival for next year is probably Fact To File. But we’re more focused on the Grand Steeple at the moment and we’ll worry about that when the time comes."
Reflecting on how quickly Il Est Francais adapted to the very different demands of Kempton, George revealed he has sought expert advice from the man who trained Nupsala, The Fellow, Algan and First Gold to win five King Georges at the track.
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….i’ll keep the Aintree weather updates in the Grand National Going thread.Comment
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Could anyone advise what website is the quickest to update the BHA entries?Comment
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I'm sure there was discussion around heavy ground and National finishers recently? 9 or less is 5/1 with Hills... Might appeal to some.Comment
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Festival thoughts. Looking back on the recent festival I noticed that- the overall runners reduced from 444 in 2023 to 367 this year, roughly 17% drop. It was interesting that Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott’s joint contribution to this was 34% (in 2023 it was 28% and in 2022 it was 30%).
- What is I think significant is that whilst numbers running continue to fall these two stables continue to run similar numbers, at least in the last 2 years.
- Even though Elliott had a relatively poor return the two stables still managed to win 12 races (9 to 3 in favour of Mullins). This is still close on 43% of the races between them from 34% of the runners.
- Further analysis of Mullins runners indicates that he had 10 favs under 9/4 with 6 winning. 6 were odds on. Another reason to build books I guess.
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Lots of chat about Aintree ground but does anyone a bit further north have a view on Musselburgh and Kelso this weekend (I don't do Twitter)?
My wife and I are members at Musselburgh. The flat meeting being called off last Saturday was a shock (let's put aside the debate about whether they were naive in not calling an inspection on Saturday morning). It's been pissing down again today. We are hoping to go to Musselburgh on Friday and Kelso on Saturday which is a reciprocal, but to be honest I'm thinking we will be relieved if one of them is onComment
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The rain has been relentless this week hasn’t it?! After Saturday and Sunday being lovely it’s been back to winter. If the rain continues I’d be surprised if Mussy is on. Kelso can go heavy as well so if the borders has had similar rain to the central belt it could fall foul as well.Originally posted by Lostinleith View PostComment
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Lovely in Edinburgh just now. The forecast looks good for today but unfortunately chucking it down tomorrow so doesn't look good. Another potential issue for Kelso is strong winds on Saturday. On our first visit there strong wind led to fences and hurdles being omitted in the home straight, which made the racing a bit of a joke,Originally posted by Craigy14 View PostComment
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What bookies now have to win anyrace 2025 up? Sky are getting the axe so looking for someone else,Also is any firm giving the free bet away like sky used to?
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Paddy got a few prices up but not a lot, betfair sportsbook the same horses and prices, that's it as far as i can see.Originally posted by somer1 View PostComment
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Somebody just posted a screenshot on Twitter of Oddschecker demanding a £9.99 per month subscription fee to view the odds
. I assume this will be rolled out fully in the next 24 hours or so before the National meeting starts. I can still get on currently.
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I can’t get on now, but a mate still can. Will the fee count towards affordability checks?
TossersComment
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Everybody trying to pick the last pieces of flesh from the racing carcass. What the hell is happening to the sport. No doubt every bookmaker on there will be getting their percentage. I don't understand how bookmakers can't see that they are going to go out of business with the things they are doing. Why aren't they shouting from the rooftops to the government.
On another note. My debit card was declined in Ladbrokes yesterday. I took about £2500 out of the shop during Cheltenham and haven't been back in since but decided on cash bets for my National picks. Had to go and draw money out to bet. Don't know if this was just a blip or not but will try again with an ante post bet for Cheltenham in a couple of weeks.
It's getting to the point now where i truly believe next seasons festival will be my last. All eyes on the end of April and what becomes of all of it.Comment
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