2024 Novice Chasers

[JackieMoon33]

One that could easily mix it with the best over here.....

The exciting Ile Est Francais is set to be campaigned in Britain later in the year following a dominant success on his chasing debut at Auteuil.
The five-year-old was a Grade One winner over hurdles at the Parisian track last year for Tom George and is now trained in partnership by his son Noel and Amanda Zetterholm.

He returned from a summer break for his first start over fences on Tuesday and could hardly have been more impressive in the hands of James Reveley.

“Auteuil is not easy to jump round for your first time and he jumped round like he’d been round there a hundred times. He was very impressive,” said Noel George.

“We’ve been waiting to run him over fences for a while and now we’ve been able to do it, he impressed us as much as we thought he would. Hopefully he’s got a big career over fences ahead of him.”

Ile Est Francais is set for one more run at Auteuil this autumn before potentially being readied for major meetings on UK soil.

George added: “We have to discuss it with the owners, but I think he’ll probably run at the beginning of November at Auteuil – there’s a Listed race for a five-year-old chasers, which I’d like to think would be a penalty kick for him.

“After that we’ll maybe consider the Coral Gold Cup meeting at Newbury or Kempton at Christmas. He’ll be travelling over to the UK this year, that’s for certain, but when and where that will be, I can’t say for certain yet.

“Newbury would be a nice place for him to start for his first run in England as it’s flat with a nice, long straight.

“I think we’ll probably start him over two and a half miles because he runs over two and a half a lot over here and we can then make a decision on whether he needs to go up or down in trip.

“He’s very versatile and for me, with his speed and jumping, he could easily be a two-miler in England, but we’re dreaming of winning a French Gold Cup with him one day and that is over three and a half miles, so we don’t want him going the wrong way.”

He was a popular benchmark last season for everyone following the Irish Point form during the season. He was probably the best 4yo hurdler of his generation in France and has made a positive start over fences. Interesting to see how he performs if he does travel over and which race they aim for.

[billymag]

One that could easily mix it with the best over here.....

The exciting Ile Est Francais is set to be campaigned in Britain later in the year following a dominant success on his chasing debut at Auteuil.
The five-year-old was a Grade One winner over hurdles at the Parisian track last year for Tom George and is now trained in partnership by his son Noel and Amanda Zetterholm.

He returned from a summer break for his first start over fences on Tuesday and could hardly have been more impressive in the hands of James Reveley.

“Auteuil is not easy to jump round for your first time and he jumped round like he’d been round there a hundred times. He was very impressive,” said Noel George.

“We’ve been waiting to run him over fences for a while and now we’ve been able to do it, he impressed us as much as we thought he would. Hopefully he’s got a big career over fences ahead of him.”

Ile Est Francais is set for one more run at Auteuil this autumn before potentially being readied for major meetings on UK soil.

George added: “We have to discuss it with the owners, but I think he’ll probably run at the beginning of November at Auteuil – there’s a Listed race for a five-year-old chasers, which I’d like to think would be a penalty kick for him.

“After that we’ll maybe consider the Coral Gold Cup meeting at Newbury or Kempton at Christmas. He’ll be travelling over to the UK this year, that’s for certain, but when and where that will be, I can’t say for certain yet.

“Newbury would be a nice place for him to start for his first run in England as it’s flat with a nice, long straight.

“I think we’ll probably start him over two and a half miles because he runs over two and a half a lot over here and we can then make a decision on whether he needs to go up or down in trip.

“He’s very versatile and for me, with his speed and jumping, he could easily be a two-miler in England, but we’re dreaming of winning a French Gold Cup with him one day and that is over three and a half miles, so we don’t want him going the wrong way.”

Backed with cash out today in the Brown Advisory 33s and a half stake Turners in shop at 33s with no cash out. Looks a really nice bet at this stage now we have the confirmation of coming over.

[Lobos]

He was a popular benchmark last season for everyone following the Irish Point form during the season. He was probably the best 4yo hurdler of his generation in France and has made a positive start over fences. Interesting to see how he performs if he does travel over and which race they aim for.

Thought someone on here said he was rated the best Novice Hurdler anywhere??

Just looked up his TWAR price as he could end up anywhere..........5/1.......ouch.......won't be touching that.

Look forward to seeing him at Newbury.

[Kautostar]

Thought someone on here said he was rated the best Novice Hurdler anywhere??

Just looked up his TWAR price as he could end up anywhere..........5/1.......ouch.......won't be touching that.

Look forward to seeing him at Newbury.

Yeah the TWAR price is horrific, better just backing him manually for the banc and turners. Can’t see him being an Arkle horse. Thought he would have got more air time on here tbh but seems to have gone under the radar a bit.

[Lobos]

Yeah the TWAR price is horrific, better just backing him manually for the banc and turners. Can’t see him being an Arkle horse. Thought he would have got more air time on here tbh but seems to have gone under the radar a bit.

Need to see him here first. With the prize money in France being that much better he could yet stay put.

Used to love it when the French regularly sent their best over here and they had a fantastic run/win record. Just doesn't happen now.

[Ballybeen]

Need to see him here first. With the prize money in France being that much better he could yet stay put.

Used to love it when the French regularly sent their best over here and they had a fantastic run/win record. Just doesn't happen now.

The betting for the French horse in the stayers this year was mental. I think he touched about 4/1 at one stage.

[Lobos]

The betting for the French horse in the stayers this year was mental. I think he touched about 4/1 at one stage.

Don't remind me. Was all over him . Christ knows what his jockey was thinking!!! Never gave him a chance.

[Eggs]

Don't remind me. Was all over him . Christ knows what his jockey was thinking!!! Never gave him a chance.

….perhaps somebody can request a price for Reveley riding a winner at next years Festival, it could better the 5-1 on offer for a/r.

[Kautostar]

Need to see him here first. With the prize money in France being that much better he could yet stay put.

Used to love it when the French regularly sent their best over here and they had a fantastic run/win record. Just doesn't happen now.

Connections seem to fancy coming over with both Newbury and kempton mentioned. I think they will, I’d probably make the turners the most likely Cheltenham target at this stage 33’s is fair.

[Lobos]

Connections seem to fancy coming over with both Newbury and kempton mentioned. I think they will, I’d probably make the turners the most likely Cheltenham target at this stage 33’s is fair.

I wouldn't like to guess which race. His main target is the French Gold Cup over 3m 6f.

Dropping back to 2m with that in mind would seem odd. Toss up between Turners and BANC with the latter perhaps being favourite?? Depends on how he gets on in his early races first and the opposition at the festival. Intriguing stuff.

[Lobos]

He could just follow the route of last year's French GC winner Sel Gem in which case he'd miss the Festival all together. Risky punt.

[Kautostar]

I wouldn't like to guess which race. His main target is the French Gold Cup over 3m 6f.

Dropping back to 2m with that in mind would seem odd. Toss up between Turners and BANC with the latter perhaps being favourite?? Depends on how he gets on in his early races first and the opposition at the festival. Intriguing stuff.

He’s only 5 going on 6 by Cheltenham and only raced up to 2m3f so far. I think the intermediate trip this season would be the most likely unless he romps the feltham then the banc comes into play. Can get 33s for both races so no harm in covering especially those with cashout options.

[billymag]

33s defo fair, connections very public about their plans I would have no reason to doubt them. Will run once more in France by the sounds then over here.

[Lobos]

33s defo fair, connections very public about their plans I would have no reason to doubt them. Will run once more in France by the sounds then over here.

Doesn't mention the Festival though?

[FinalFurlong91]

Given the timing of the big French races he may be given a break around feb/March

Depends what their main aim is I guess