French challenger Il Est Francais is on monitor for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on 26 December regardless of being pulled up on his newest run.
The six-year-old produced a scintillating show when successful the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase over the identical course and distance 12 months in the past.
Joint coach Noel George confirmed he was being aimed on the King George regardless of his disappointing outing at Auteil final month.
“He burst a blood vessel final time. There was no specific purpose for that and ever for the reason that race he has been working properly,” mentioned George, who trains the horse with Amanda Zetterholm.
“I believe if he can reproduce what he did final yr then I believe we’re going there with a successful probability.”
Il Est Francais is a few 6-1 probability for the massive race behind 7-2 favorite Gray Dawning, the Betfair Chase runner-up skilled by Dan Skelton.
