Cheltenham Festival: Il Est Francais Primed to Make History in the Ryanair Chase

The Cheltenham Festival is more than a horse racing event—it’s a four-day spectacle where legends are born, dreams are realized, and the roar of the crowd becomes part of racing folklore. Among its star-studded lineup of races, the Ryanair Chase stands out as a thrilling test of speed, stamina, and precision. This year, all eyes are on a French challenger, Il Est Francais, as he aims to defy tradition and etch his name into the history books.

The Stage: Cheltenham Festival and the Ryanair Chase

Since its inception in 2004, the Ryanair Chase has become a cornerstone of the Cheltenham Festival. The Grade 1 race, run over 2 miles and 4½ furlongs, strikes a perfect balance between the blistering pace of shorter sprints and the endurance demands of longer distances. It’s a race that rewards versatility, attracting seasoned chasers with the agility to navigate Cheltenham’s undulating track and the tactical wit to seize momentum.

Past winners like Allaho, who dominated in 2021 and 2022, and Envoi Allen, last year’s victor, have turned the Ryanair into a showcase for equine brilliance. But in 2024, the narrative isn’t just about defending champions—it’s about a French prodigy challenging the status quo.

Il Est Francais: A Cross-Channel Contender

Trained by Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm, Il Est Francais isn’t just another raider from across the English Channel. The six-year-old gelding has surged through the ranks with a blend of raw talent and tactical maturity, capturing attention with dominant performances in France’s premier jumps races. His December 2023 victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park was a statement: here was a horse ready to take on the best of Britain and Ireland.

Bred by the Haras de Saint-Volaire, Il Est Francais boasts a pedigree steeped in stamina and jumping prowess. His sire, Doctor Dino, was a two-time winner of the French Champion Hurdle, while his dam, Il Er Rosa, hails from a lineage of hardy stayers. This genetic edge, paired with meticulous training, has shaped him into a horse equally comfortable powering up hills as he is launching over fences.

Preparation Meets Opportunity

Preparing a French-trained horse for Cheltenham is no small feat. The Festival’s electric atmosphere, unpredictable weather, and unique track layout demand adaptability. Yet, Il Est Francais’s team has left no stone unturned. Strategic runs in the UK, including his Kempton triumph, have acclimatized him to British racing conditions. His schooling sessions, focused on sharpening his jumping and conserving energy, suggest a horse primed for the Ryanair’s demands.

Jockey James Reveley, a familiar face in both French and British circuits, will helm the ride. His partnership with Il Est Francais has been instrumental; their synergy in navigating tight turns and timing surges could prove decisive. “He’s got the engine and the brain,” Reveley remarked after a recent workout. “When you ask him to go, he responds like a champion.”

The Competition: Giants in His Path

While Il Est Francais’s credentials are impressive, the Ryanair Chase field is laden with talent. Defending champion Envoi Allen returns, aiming to join the elite club of back-to-back winners. Trained by Henry de Bromhead, the nine-year-old thrives under pressure and knows Cheltenham’s terrain intimately.

Then there’s Stage Star, last year’s Turners Novices’ Chase winner, whose front-running style could disrupt the race dynamics. Ireland’s Banbridge, a slick jumper with a lethal turn of foot, and the durable Capodanno add further depth to a field where margins for error are razor-thin.

For Il Est Francais, the challenge is twofold: overcoming rivals and silencing skeptics who question whether a French-trained horse can conquer a race historically dominated by British and Irish stables.