L'Homme Presse set to start off on road to Gold Cup on blockbuster Ascot card

The shortest-priced British contender for the Gold Cup is set to start his campaign in just over two weeks on November 19 – but as part of a blockbuster card at Ascot instead of the first British Grade 1 of the season.

Entries for the Betfair Chase at Haydock were revealed on Tuesday, with A Plus Tard heading just six potential runners as he follows the same path that led him to Cheltenham glory last season.

However, connections of the exciting L'Homme Presse have instead opted for the Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase at Ascot at a meeting which is also likely to feature the return of Nicky Henderson's exceptional Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Constitution Hill.

L'Homme Presse is a 12-1 shot for the Gold Cup after his progress last season included an impressive victory at the festival in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase. That success was one of five recorded from just six starts over fences by the son of Diamond Boy, who could step into open Grade 1 company for the first time in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on December 26, for which he featured among 18 entries on Tuesday.

The Betfair Chase, though, has been definitely ruled out. Trainer Venetia Williams said: "That was never on the table. It's too far off to say about the King George and, all things being equal, we're probably going to head to Ascot in a couple of weeks. There aren't loads of races for him and that looks like where we'll take him for his first run. It looks a suitable race to start in."

Venetia Williams: has entered Haydock specialist Royale Pagaille in the Haydock ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Williams did still make one entry in the Betfair Chase, with Royale Pagaille among the potential starters at a track where he has won the last two runnings of the Peter Marsh Chase. Last season's Gold Cup fifth is also in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on November 26 and could then meet his stablemate in the King George.

Bristol De Mai, a three-time winner of the Betfair Chase, and Gold Cup third Protektorat are also among the possible opposition for A Plus Tard and Royale Pagaille at Haydock.

Sponsors Betfair put a brave face on the poor turnout on Tuesday, focusing on the quality rather than quantity of the entries.

Spokesman Barry Orr said: "It's a race with a rich tradition of champions retaining their crown. Bristol De Mai, Cue Card and the mighty Kauto Star have all done it. A Plus Tard is odds-on to add his name to that list, but it won't be a cakewalk with Protektorat sure to keep him honest. All the ingredients are there to make this 18th edition of the race a quality renewal."

The King George entries include leading ante-post fancies Allaho, Bravemansgame and Galopin Des Champs, the only novice chaser rated higher than L'Homme Presse in the 2021-22 Anglo-Irish Jumps Classifications.

The weights for the first two major handicap chases of the season in Britain, the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham and the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, were also revealed on Tuesday.

Coral Gold Cup favourite Dusart is currently set to carry 11st 5lb at Newbury, where topweights Bravemansgame and Protektorat are unlikely runners.

Mister Fisher tops the weights for next week's Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, while the meeting's Unibet Greatwood Hurdle has Knappers Hill, who has an option at Wincanton on Saturday, and First Street both on 12st.

Betfair Chase, 3.00 Haydock, November 19

Betfair: 1-2 A Plus Tard, 11-4 Protektorat, 7 Royale Pagaille, 14 Bristol De Mai, 16 Eldorado Allen, Frodon

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