French star Il Est Francais back on course for King George VI Chase

The victor of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase astatine Kempton past Boxing Day was the 3-1 marketplace person for the Christmas diagnostic anterior to his latest start

Il Est Francais is backmost connected people for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase astatine Kempton Park connected Boxing Day - contempt his no-show astatine Auteuil 10 days ago.

The victor of the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase connected the King George undercard past Boxing Day was the 3-1 marketplace person for the Christmas 3m diagnostic anterior to his latest start.

But the six-year-old, trained successful tandem by Chantilly-based Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, tin present beryllium backed astatine 12-1 with William Hill aft pulling up nether James Reveley successful the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin successful Paris.

Extensive veterinary tests person failed to place the origin of the flop, starring part-owner Nicolas de Lageneste to speculate that Auteuil - Il Est Francais has won 3 chases successful the 16th arrondissement but has besides suffered some of his defeats defeats implicit fences determination - could beryllium to blame.

“Perhaps the equine has a penchant for Kempton alternatively of Auteuil - we anticipation so!” Lageneste said yesterday.

“After the tests, determination isn’t a occupation and the King George is inactive the target.”

While Willie Mullins’ ante-post favourite Gaelic Warrior won’t beryllium travelling to Sunbury aft his astonishment defection astatine Tuesday’s acceptance stage, the Jimmy Mangan-trained Spillane’s Tower, 2nd to caller Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Fact To File successful the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase past Sunday, could marque the trip.

“It wouldn’t beryllium retired of the question that helium would beryllium supplemented,” said Mangan, whose six-year-old is 6-1 successful the ante-post betting for the King George. “We were thrilled with him and helium seems fine.”

Envoi Allen, who finished a disappointing seventh of 9 erstwhile challenging for the King George 2 years ago, present vies for favouritism with Corbetts Cross, trained by Emmet Mullins.

This followed Willie Mullins determination to scratch each his 8 entries the £250,000 Boxing Day showpiece astatine Kempton astatine the introduction stage.

They included Gaelic Warrior who was promoted to the caput of the betting and aft Il Est Francais's defeat. Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup victor Galopin Des Champs, Il Etait Temps, who won 3 times astatine Grade 1 level past term, Blue Lord, Capodanno, Ferny Hollow, Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner were the different withdrawals.

Previous contention winners Hewick and Bravemansgame stay among the 16 inactive engaged.