Can Britain's top Gold Cup hope L'Homme Presse be troubled on his return?

Saturday: 2.05 Ascot
Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (Grade 2) | 2m5f 8y | 4yo+ | ITV/SSR

The intermediate trip of the 1965 Chase is what lends it appeal and explicitly what led to its best-remembered renewal, the meeting of Altior and Cyrname three years ago. While stayers and two-milers often clash here, the former tend to come from the King George sub-group and L'Homme Presse would be a rare runner who has the Gold Cup as his number one target.

It is worth remembering that, for much of his novice season, L'Homme Presse was not really thought of as a three-miler. His win over this course and distance in December was as far as he went before he won the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with wins in the Dipper and Scilly Isles (both around 2m4f) in between.

Speed should not be an issue. Jumping still might be, as both here and in the Scilly Isles L'Homme Presse tended to jump to his left. It clearly did not hold him back too much, although the form of those races looks pretty modest in retrospect.

With Hitman defecting to the Haydock 1.50, and Do Your Job, who finished fifth here on Friday, also a non-runner the opposition boils down to Saint Calvados and Coole Cody. The latter is a classy handicapper but almost certainly a step below this class. Saint Calvados would be a credible challenger facing conditions that ought to suit. However, he has not always been a totally straightforward ride and new owner-jockey David Maxwell could have his work cut out on a horse who professional jockeys have sometimes struggled to get right.

It is hoped that they are able to put up a fight, otherwise L'Homme Presse's highly anticipated reappearance could become little more than a jog round.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'Any more rain would be helpful' for L'Homme Presse

L’Homme Presse is the leading British-based hope for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March if the ante-post market is to be believed and he takes the first steps on the road back to the festival in what looks likely to be a three-runner affair.

Venetia Williams’ exciting chaser, who is 10-1 third favourite with most firms for Gold Cup glory, knows his way around Prestbury Park as he ran out a smart winner of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the festival last season which capped a five-race unbeaten run.

Venetia Williams believes the 1965 Chase is a nice starting point for L'Homme PresseCredit: Edward Whitaker

The seven-year-old also numbered a win over today’s course and distance in that run of success which also included a Grade 2 win at Cheltenham and a prestigious Grade 1 win in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown in February.

L’Homme Presse then brushed aside Ahoy Senor when stepped up to three miles at Cheltenham but finished only third to the same rival in a rematch in the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree the following month.

Trainer Venetia Williams said: “It's a nice starting point for him. He's gone well at Ascot before over a similar distance. Any more rain would be helpful, although it doesn't look as if we're going to get it. I'm looking forward to seeing him back in action.”

Coole Cody, winner of the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival in March, steps out of handicap company after being pulled up following a mistake in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last Saturday. It will be his first start away from Cheltenham since February 2021.

Trainer Evan Williams said: "He didn’t get very far in the Paddy Power Gold Cup as he made a mistake early and Adam Wedge pulled him up in front of the stands. He’s getting on a bit now but seems fine after that but there aren’t that many places to run him. We’ll give it a go and if we get some prize-money we’ll be delighted."

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Haydock: 'He should be hard to beat' - Nicholls swerves L'Homme Presse test with Hitman

2.25 Haydock: 'He goes there with every chance' - key quotes for the valuable stayers' hurdle

2.40 Ascot: 'We'd have concerns if it dried too much' - Nicky Henderson on Constitution Hill

3.00 Haydock: Betfair Chase: A Plus Tard will be fine on the ground says confident De Bromhead

3.15 Ascot: Who can capitalise in this handicap chase with Edwardstone ruled out?

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