Il Est Francais brilliant at Kempton

Hewick became the fifth Irish trained winner of the King George Chase at Kempton on Tuesday with Shark Hanlon's former Galway Plate winner leading close home from last year's winner Bravemansgame and Allaho. The eight year old's win round off a memorable end to 2023 for his jockey Gavin Sheehan. However, things would have been very different had Shishkin not lost his rider shortly after the second last. Nicky Henderson's dual Cheltenham Festival winner had disgraced himself when failing to start at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance. However, the nine year old was his best behaviour at the Sunbury track jumping and travelling well throughout. Nico De Boinville's mount appeared to be in control when jumping the penultimate fence cleanly before knuckling over a few strides after the obstacle and depositing his rider to the floor. With Bravemansgame and Allaho out on their feet after the last, one can't help thinking the Seven Barrows runner would have given his trainer his fourth win in the Christmas showpiece.

Having selected Shishkin at 5/1 in the Christmas Special, it was a frustrating outcome to say the least. Earlier on the card, Il Est Francais lit up the afternoon with a blistering performance in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase. Advised at 2/1 in the Update, the Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm trained five year old made all the running and destroyed Grade 1 winning hurdler Hermes Allen by eleven lengths. James Reveley's partner jumped superbly and barely came off the bridle to beat some decent rivals. Tackling the trip for the first time and going right-handed for the first time, he handled the ground and there isn't much doubt the best novice chaser we have seen this season. Featured in the Top 40, I know many clients have fancy ante-post prices for the Cheltenham Festival. Fingers crossed, he heads to Prestbury Park in March. His victory rounded off an excellent day for his three times champion jockey, who also bred the first winner at Aintree on Tuesday, namely Cherie D'Am. 

Indeed, it proved to be a terrific afternoon for the Top 40 with 3 winners, namely Bunting, Il Est Francais and Kala Conti (7/2). Bunting was most impressive on his hurdles debut at Limerick streaking eight lengths clear and looking a smart prospect. It proved a disappointing afternoon for his trainer Willie Mullins - 2 winners from 20 runners - but the Tony Bloom owned gelding looks Triumph Hurdle material. Another three year old Kala Conti returned to winning ways with a gutsy display in the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown. Runner-up in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse last time, Gordon Elliott's filly jumped slickly before staying on strongly to prevail by three parts of a length. Another Top 40 entry Favour and Fortune (10/1) ran a cracker when finishing second in the inaugural running of the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. Unbeaten in his two previous runs over timber, Alan King's charge moved smoothly through the contest but found Jango Baie too strong on the run-in pulling a dozen lengths clear of the third.

Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers unearthed another high-class prospect with No Flies On Him (3/1) won the opening two miles maiden hurdle at Leopardstown. A point winner for Derek O'Connor, the four year old was to the fore from the outset jumping well and comfortably holding off his pursuers after the last. It is a few years since his trainer Edward O'Grady had a top notcher but the Cheltenham Festival winning handler appears to have another good one on his hands. He promises to be even better over an extra half a mile.

In total, there were 13 winners in One Jump Ahead on Boxing Day: Mossy Fen Park (6/4), Lady In The Park (100/30), Cherie D'Am (6/4), No Flies On Him (3/1), Bunting (2/5), Asta La Pasta (11/8), Blow Your Wad (100/30), Elogio (11/4), Kala Conti (7/2), Il Est Francais (13/8), Do Your Job and Tahmuras (13/2).