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The Cheltenham Festival meeting is the biggest week of the year in Jumps racing, as the leading horses from around the world battle it out at Cheltenham Racecourse in the UK.

All eyes will be on the Turners Novices’ Chase this year to see Il Est Francais back in action. The French-trained horse is unbeaten over fences, and he has produced three scintillating performances so far in his chase career.

Kempton Victory Came at the Highest Level

Il Est Francais has won by a wide margin in all three of his chase successes, but his most impressive triumph to date came at Kempton last time out. He was successful in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, beating a strong field in the festive contest.

🇫🇷 Vive La France

A magnificent display from Il Est Francais who jumps his rivals silly with a breathtaking display in the G1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at @kemptonparkrace pic.twitter.com/1V8MFM4eX3

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2023

The six-year-old is now 6/1 in the betting for the Turners Novices’ Chase on the back of that success. Those backing the French horse should consider the best free Cheltenham bets available ahead of the meeting, including the “Bet £10 and get £30” in free bets available to new customers with bet365 and Betfair.

Il Est Francais completed the 3m distance at Kempton four seconds quicker than Hewick managed in the King George VI Chase later in the card. He could return to the meeting in 2024 for the feature race of the afternoon.

French Gold Cup a Target for Talented Novice

Joint trainer Noel George has yet to commit to a path for his horse in the opening half of 2024, but the French Gold Cup at Auteuil in Paris is an option. The horse’s owners are keen to win that race. Should he line up in the biggest Jumps race of the season in France, he would be a warm favourite to prevail.

The French Gold Cup takes place over 3m6f, so the novice chaser would be stepping up in distance. He was full of running in the final stages of the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, so stamina is unlikely to be a problem for the horse.

Galopin Des Champs Set to Defend Gold Cup Crown

🏆 Galopin Des Champs wins the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup! 🏆

😁 @CheltenhamRaces redemption!#ITVRacing | #CheltenhamFestival | @WillieMullinsNH | @PTownend pic.twitter.com/89qqOTJjhE

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 17, 2023

Il Est Francais is not the only highly-rated chaser set to appear at the Cheltenham Festival this year. Galopin Des Champs will be bidding to add his name to the history books by defending his crown in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the feature race of the week.

The Irish horse was beaten in the Punchestown Gold Cup and John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase, but he was back to his best in the Savills Chase on his latest outing. Willie Mullins’ runner scored at Leopardstown by 23 lengths, finishing ahead of Gold Cup contenders Gerri Colombe and A Plus Tard.

The eight-year-old has an entry in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival in February. That is set to be his final run before he makes the trip across the Irish Sea for the Blue Riband event in National Hunt racing.

With Il Est Francias, Galopin Des Champs, and other big stars set to appear, this year’s Cheltenham Festival looks set to be an unmissable event for horse racing fans.