Il Est Francais will head to one of France’s leading veterinary clinics in a search for answers after being pulled up in the Prix la Haye Jousselin at Auteuil on Sunday.

So brilliant in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s Grade 1 winner began this season on a high when taking the Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy on debut and was well fancied to follow up at the weekend.