Cheltenham gold run ‘absolutely’ the target for L’Homme Presse

The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup remains the goal for L’Homme Presse, with connections remaining positive their horse of a lifetime has a chance of giving them another special day at the Cheltenham Festival.

Venetia Williams’ stable star has a fine record at Prestbury Park, winning both the Dipper and then the Brown Advisory at the Festival as a novice in 2022.

He also followed up a game third in the King George at Christmas by registering another victory at jumping’s Headquarters in the Cotswold Chase on Festival Trials day last month, cementing his position as one of Britain’s leading staying chasers heading into this year’s showpiece event.

The 10-year-old had his momentum briefly checked in the Ascot Chase last Saturday when an early mistake saw jockey Charlie Deutsch exercise caution and pull his mount up early into the piece.

However, his team are unworried by that minor blip and L’Homme Presse has been back thriving at his trainer’s Herefordshire base since.

“The horse is absolutely fine and was ridden out on Monday when I was there and all was good and schooled on Wednesday absolutely fine – there are no ill effects as of yet,” explained Andy Edwards, who owns the horse alongside Pam Sharman, Ray Sharman and Peter and Patricia Pink.

“It was a Grade One at Ascot and we had to take the opportunity, but unfortunately the ground went against us. It was safe ground, it was just on the quick side, as you could see with the times on the day.

“A similar thing happened last year and Pic d’Orhy is a very good horse on good ground over the distance.

“L’Homme Presse just made a mistake that dented his confidence and Charlie did the right thing by pulling him up, there was no point carrying on. If he hadn’t made that mistake – and he jumped the first few really well – he may well have have finished second and we could then just say well done to Pic d’Orhy.

“But all he’s done is run a mile, jump half a dozen fences and come home. That is the equivalent of a Wednesday at Venetia’s, there is no harm done and he’s not had a race obviously.”

L’Homme Presse led the field to two out in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup before suffering a nasty injury and bravely carrying up the hill to finish fourth behind the imperious Galopin Des Champs.

The nine-time winner will now take another crack at the blue riband seeking what would be very much a perfect 10th success.

“Absolutely we’ll be going to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, that is the hope and dream and we’ve always been very open that we would be there giving it our best shot,” added Edwards.

“In the Gold Cup over three-miles-two-furlongs, the ground isn’t so imperative and we just hope there is soft in the title somewhere. We’re really hopeful and he is really well in himself and was clearly the pick of the paddock on Saturday.

“It’s three weeks on Friday and we’ve got a great horse who we’re taking to the Gold Cup and we just hope we get there, the others get there and it’s a great race.”