Il Est Francais suffered one other main blip when pulled up within the Prix la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil, placing his participation within the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase unsure.
Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s six-year-old has attracted large hype since storming to a formidable victory within the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day final yr.
He upset at Auteuil subsequent outing, trailing dwelling a great distance final of 5 runners within the Prix Murat, however acquired again on observe with a easy success within the Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy on the identical venue in September.
Nonetheless, it’s again to the drafting board as soon as extra after Il Est Francais failed to complete in a race received by Louisa Carberry’s Gran Diose.
Il Est Francais was awkward on the water bounce and jockey James Reveley had a number of seems to be down over his proper shoulder following the following couple of fences earlier than calling it a day.
George informed Sky Sports activities Racing: “James just said he cut out and that’s why he pulled him up. There’s no certain reason for it – we’ll do every test we can possibly do and then we’ll make a decision on what the plan is. He’s not lame, so we’ll find a solution.”
Requested concerning the King George, he added: “Clearly, it is not going to be 100 per cent that we will be coming, we have simply acquired to make a plan and we’re not going to leap to any conclusions in any respect.
“There’s no point making a decision now, we’ve got to work out what’s gone on and then make a decision on what we do.”
