Nicky Henderson stuns ‘disastrous' Il Est Francais with £33,000 midweek smash-and-grab

The Sun

15-05-2025

NICKY HENDERSON stunned the 'disastrous' Il Est Francais with a £33,000 midweek smash-and-grab.
Hendo's brilliant mare Aston Martini - whose previously biggest claim to fame was being a work horse alongside Constitution Hill - saw off the King George runner-up in a Listed Compiegne contest in France.
Aston Martini, who is rated 132 over hurdles, was getting 2lbs from Il Est Francais but could have given weight all round as she ran out a decisive ten-length winner.
It was yet another flop for 3-5 chance Il Est Francais, who looked a world-beater when winning the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton in 2023.
The Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm-trained chaser put in one of the greatest jumping performances the Surrey track has ever seen that day.
And he looked like the King George winner last Boxing Day only to be nutted late on by Banbridge in a Christmas cracker.
But a weak finish in the Ryanair saw questions over his future once more - after he bled when flopping at Auteuil last November.
Now doubts have surfaced all over again after he could only finish third in a race that should have been his for the taking.
Henderson - who is set to wave goodbye to 21 horses at the Doncaster sales later this month - couldn't care less, though.
His Aston Martini, who is closely related to former Grand National winner Rule The World, stamped her class all over this 2m3f race.
Sent off around 7-1, jockey Felix De Giles never had to get serious, merely easing out the mare to win comfortably.
Sun Racing's Matt Chapman was one of those commenting on Il Est Francais' latest nightmare.
And he suggested the horse could benefit from being sent to Henderson, with a change of scenery perhaps enough to reignite his career.
Chapman said on Sky: "You know what, if I was the owner I'd try a change of scenery.
"That's not to do with the way current connections train the horse, but I'd maybe send him to Nicky Henderson.
"Perhaps different surroundings, a different feed, whatever might make a difference to the medical condition - or whatever it is he has.
"Maybe it won't make a difference where he was, but I would just try something different and see if anyone else can sort out his issues.
"Because they have been going on some time now and, for me, it might time to try something different… or give up!
"But I wouldn't personally give up on him."
George didn't sound too disappointed afterwards, saying Il Est Francais would now enjoy a summer break before coming back in the autumn.
Another crack at the King George looks logical but he is out to 20-1 for that now.
Speaking after the win, Henderson said: "That was fantastic, a great performance, and we only came here to achieve one thing and that was to get some black type, as there were no more Listed races in Britain and we've had it in mind for some time.
"It nearly scuppered our plan to see Il Est Francais in the race, but she was amazing.
"It's a beautiful track and it was beautiful ground with so much grass on it, it's a great place.
"I was talking to Noel George and he said it wasn't just Il Est Francais in there and there was also some other very good horses in there.
"It's actually the second time we've won that race and we won it with Fixe Le Kap in 2017 and I rode here 50 years ago in a cross-country, which is a bit scary!"
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