L’Homme Presse all set to push Gold Cup claims at Ascot
Venetia Williams’ charge is odds-on for this weekend’s Grade One.
Owner Andy Edwards is looking to L’Homme Presse to book his Cheltenham Gold Cup in Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase at the Berkshire track. The nine-year-old made a faultless return to action following a lengthy lay off in last month’s Fleur De Lys Chase, beating Protektorat by just over two lengths on his first start since unseating Charlie Deutsch in the 2022 King George VI Chase. L’Homme Presse sustained a season-ending injury in that mishap, with trainer Venetia Williams and Edwards, plus his co-owners Peter and Patricia Pink, giving the gelding plenty of time to recover. He is now set to turn out 27 days later at Ascot, with Edwards not putting much stock in the theory of the ‘bounce factor’ for horses having their second run back after an absence.He said: “Everything has been fine with L’Homme Presse since Lingfield. “I thought it was an amazing comeback and we were thrilled with everything we saw from him. Hopefully, he can kick on again from there, starting this weekend in the Betfair Ascot Chase. “I don’t think the ‘bounce factor’ is a scientific thing. Every horse is different and that is not something that fazes us. We are only concerned about our horse and he will run a race that suits him.” L’Homme Presse is a general 8-1 chance for next month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, with reigning champion Galopin Des Champs odds-on to defend his title for Willie Mullins. While Edwards is aware of the task L’Homme Presse would face in the Cotswolds, he would not shy away from taking on that challenge.
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Turner follows up landmark success with Mount Atlas triumph
Trailblazing jockey wastes no time in adding to Thursday night’s 1,000th British winner.
-
Shepherd looking to guide King’s Gambit to York Stakes glory
In-form jockey eyeing another big-race success on progressive colt.
-
Auguste Rodin now ready to exorcise King George demons
Aidan O’Brien: ‘Last year, it was soft ground and we probably held him up too much.’
-
Live In The Dream given Goodwood Hart transplant
Adam West has opted for a change of jockey on his star sprinter.
-
Ed Crisford plans Deauville return for star sprinter Vandeek
He has finished third on both starts this season after an unbeaten juvenile campaign.
-
Chancellor looking to profit in Pat Eddery Stakes
The John and Thady Gosden colt impressed when winning on debut at Doncaster.
-
Boughey backing Soprano to be on song in Valiant Stakes
‘I couldn’t be much happier with how she has trained heading into this race.’
-
Opera Singer and Emily Upjohn on course for Nassau clash
Inspiral also among 12 Goodwood confirmations but she may be rerouted to France.
-
Sangster hopes Simmering can heat up once again at Ascot
Promising filly bids to open her account in the Princess Margaret Stakes.