Deutsch says L'Homme Presse is 'on another level' as he gives Charlie Hall view

Charlie Deutsch has described L'Homme Presse as "on a different level" to other horses he has ridden as last season's Cheltenham Festival winner nears a return to action.

L'Homme Presse provided the jockey with his first Grade 1 in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown in February and went on to record a highly impressive success in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

Deutsch said: "I've ridden some good horses but he seems to be on a totally different level. You don't know what's around the corner but hopefully he stays sound and healthy.

"I've ridden him once at home and he seems fine, I don't know what race he's going for yet but he's in work and the guy who rides him every day is happy with him."

Charlie Deutsch salutes the crowd as L'Homme Presse runs out an impressive winner of the Brown Advisory Novices' ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Venetia Williams-trained chaser put in some exuberant leaps on the way to beating Ahoy Senor by three and a half lengths at the festival and while the form was reversed at Aintree, Deutsch is adamant his horse did not give his true running.

"He definitely wasn't quite right from the get-go," he said. "I couldn't really give a true judgement on the track or the ground as I was never happy from the first bend. He wasn't right, whether he had a hard race at Cheltenham I don't know."

The rider will be watching Saturday's Charlie Hall Chase (3.35) eagerly as it sees the rematch between his Mildmay Novices' Chase conqueror Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame.

The pair have a victory apiece over each other over fences as Bravemansgame came out on top in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, before trailing in last of four when bitterly disappointing at Aintree.

"I'd be more with Ahoy Senor," he added. "I think Bravemansgame was impressive early on in the season but when he stepped up in company later on he didn't perform and I think he's got a bit to prove."

L'Homme Presse is a 10-1 chance to become the first horse since Lord Windermere in 2013 to win the Brown Advisory and the Gold Cup the following season. Ahoy Senor can be backed at 9-1, with the market headed by Galopin Des Champs at 3-1.

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