2025 Champion Chase

[DenmanSacre]

If a specialist 2 miler can’t keep up with a King George winner I would be surprised!!

At some point I'll have the time to put my argument for him on here but can't really be bothered if he isn't going to run here.

I don't think Jonbon is a specialist 2 miler, in the same way Sprinter Sacre, Special Tiara etc were. For me, he's more of a 2m4 horse that's equally effective over 2m and just been beating up Edwardstone and Boothill for 2 years.

As Somer says, One Man ran them into the ground over 2m and won the KG.

[Benjy23]

My reading of it is they want to dodge Fact or File in the Ryanair. But I may be seeing what I want to from it

[Durham Edition]

My reading of it is they want to dodge Fact or File in the Ryanair. But I may be seeing what I want to from it

That's my reading of it, as before the Ryanair was pretty much written off with the move for Fact To File after being beaten by GDC, now that's up in the air and he has strengthened in the Gold Cup market they are looking to see what the Ryanair field is.

[Carnage at Taunton]

At some point I'll have the time to put my argument for him on here but can't really be bothered if he isn't going to run here.

I don't think Jonbon is a specialist 2 miler, in the same way Sprinter Sacre, Special Tiara etc were. For me, he's more of a 2m4 horse that's equally effective over 2m and just been beating up Edwardstone and Boothill for 2 years.

As Somer says, One Man ran them into the ground over 2m and won the KG.

You are welcome to your opinion of course, but his race record says differently to me
And by saying a specialist 2 miler I meant all that may turn up in the race that have spent most of their top
level career at 2 miles, not just the fav.

[Odin]

My reading of it is they want to dodge Fact or File in the Ryanair. But I may be seeing what I want to from it

Looks a weak Ryanair field outside of Fact To File so it's completely understandable to be fair

[EnvoiAlien]

Il Est Francais 'will probably' run in Ryanair if Fact To File avoids that race, says joint-trainer Noel George

Racing Post, cant post whole piece as I dont subscribe.

Edit - they opened the story up now.

[DenmanSacre]

Saturday's Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup will not just have an impact on those at Leopardstown, those watching the race on TV and the ante-post markets. The race's outcome will be eagerly awaited as far afield as Avilly-Saint-Léonard in France, the base of Noel George, joint-trainer of Cheltenham Festival candidate Il Est Francais.
However, George's gaze will not be focused on Galopin Des Champs – the odds-on favourite for the Grade 1 who is seeking a third win in the race – but rather second favourite Fact To File.

That is because the performance of the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old and the subsequent festival target for the gelding will directly impact which way George decides to lean with his narrow King George VI Chase runner-up.

Il Est Francais is currently a best-priced 7-1 for both the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase and Ryanair Chase, and 33-1 for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

George – who trains the seven-year-old with Amanda Zetterholm – would not rule out any of the three options, with the ground one of many factors that could have an influence, but he did reveal the single biggest determiner in which race they target will be avoiding Fact To File.

"It's not guaranteed he'll go to the Ryanair. We'll be watching the racing in Ireland with intent this weekend," George said. "If Fact To File ended up running in the Gold Cup we'd likely go for the Ryanair, and I think he'd have a great chance in it, but if he were to drop into the Ryanair we're very much considering the Champion Chase."

George added: "It's ground dependent as well – on good ground we could even consider the Gold Cup, but it might just as easily be soft. There are so many things to consider, but if Fact To File doesn't run in the Ryanair we'll probably go there."

Il Est Francais is a two-time Grade 1 winner, landing the Prix Renaud du Vivier over hurdles at Auteuil in 2022 and the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton in 2023. He was a narrow second to Banbridge in the King George on his last start and will go straight to the Cheltenham Festival.

[DenmanSacre]

Duplicate removed

[Exar Essay]

Thanks for posting DenmanSacre Wasn’t there an interview last week saying the Ryanair was the least likely of the three?

[Quevega]

I think this trainer is being very open and his logic is clear to see.
He will assess the relevant form and strength of the 2 races near the time but as it stands he would rather avoid Fact to File than Jonbon and co.
Simple.
Dublin could change all that if Gaelic or another Irish 2 miler look very good also.
But if Fact to File runs well enough to book a go in the Gold cup or is stated to be going there, it looks like they will favour the Ryanair.

The related double is 49-1 with B365 antepost.

[DenmanSacre]

It seems like they think GDC>FTF>Jonbon as far as opposing them at Cheltenham. First preference is to avoid all of them if FTF isn't going the Ryanair. Second preference is to go the CC if FTF goes the Ryanair. The Gold Cup depends on both FTF going the Ryanair and a good ground festival, where the better ground will be more of a help of staying. Last year they said the owners aim was to win the French Gold Cup and Cheltenham Gold Cup so maybe they still have that dream.

[Lobos]

If F2F turns Galopin over at the weekend maybe they will take their chances in the Gold Cup after all.

He could turn up absolutely anywhere.

Expected Ground conditions during the week will be a huge factor. More so than who goes to what race IMO.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Wherever IEF turns up he will add to that race for sure.
Fascinating stuff!!

[Guinness Village]

Ok, if el fab turns up over the weekend and scoots in. Surely he is well fancied for the champ chase

[Guinness Village]

Actually, I fancy him and the nrnb odds are very attractive