Leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender L'Homme Presse ruled out of festival

Venetia Williams has confirmed that leading Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup contender L'Homme Presse will miss this year's festival showpiece.

L'Homme Presse was a general 6-1 shot for the Gold Cup before an announcement made by connections on Friday.

A statement issued on behalf of connections to the PA read: "We have given L'Homme Presse some time to get over his exertions in the King George before carrying out some veterinary investigations, which have concluded today.

"Unfortunately, these have revealed that he has a couple of issues that, although temporary, mean that he will not be able to run in this year's Gold Cup.

"He will be given time and patience to recover fully and we will monitor his rehabilitation over the next few weeks before making a decision on any future races in the spring."

The eight-year-old was a two-time Grade 1 winner as a novice, winning the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at last year's festival before a disappointing run in the Mildmay at Aintree ended his campaign.

He produced a high-class weight-carrying performance on his return in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle and was in a clear second when unseating jockey Charlie Deutsch in the King George on Boxing Day.

The announcement has seen a number of firms shorten long-time Willie Mullins-trained favourite Galopin Des Champs, who is as short as 11-10 with William Hill.

Williams is yet to win the Gold Cup and will now rely on Royale Pagaille, who is a best-priced 66-1 with a number of firms for the Cheltenham Festival feature.

Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 17)

William Hill: 11-10 Galopin Des Champs, 5 A Plus Tard, 6 Noble Yeats, 7 Stattler, 8 Bravemansgame, Protektorat, 10 Conflated, 16 Minella Indo, Hewick, 20 bar

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