Il Est Francais, once regarded as a leading National Hunt prospect after a grade one victory at Kempton Park three years ago, is set to make his return to racing at Ffos Las following a change in training stables. The eight-year-old, now under the care of champion trainer Dan Skelton, has faced challenges since his high point, managing only two wins in ten subsequent races.

Previously trained by Noel George and Amada Zetterman, Il Est Francais notably won the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase by 11 lengths. However, his progress has since stalled, in part due to respiratory issues that led to an operation. Despite the procedure, the horse was pulled up in the Topham Chase at Aintree in April, raising questions about his future performance potential.

Owner Richard Kelvin Hughes explained that the decision to transfer Il Est Francais to Skelton’s yard was driven by a desire to try different methods tailored to the horse’s unique condition. Hughes noted that the Skelton team, who maintain connections in showjumping and the United States, employ diverse approaches that have benefited horses with similar respiratory fragility. “Every trainer does things differently so we think it’s worth a go,” Hughes said.

Dan Skelton, who claimed his first champion trainer title last season, acknowledged Il Est Francais’s strong past performances but emphasized the uncertainty surrounding his return. “We need to see if the candle still burns,” Skelton stated, adding that immediate success is not expected. Instead, the focus will be on rebuilding the horse’s career with room for gradual improvement.

Il Est Francais’s impending run at Ffos Las marks a critical juncture in his career, representing an opportunity to regain form under a new training regimen aimed at addressing his respiratory challenges and unlocking his earlier promise.