L'Homme Presse the star turn in Rehearsal - analysis and key quotes

Saturday: 3.25 Newcastle
Betfair Exchange Rehearsal Handicap Chase | 2m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV3/Sky

The Rehearsal Chase has morphed over recent years into the north's equivalent of the Coral Gold Cup. It did not need the star power lent by the presence of L'Homme Presse, but his is certainly a welcome name among the nine runners.

Having L'Homme Presse is a bit of a throwback for the Rehearsal, which in its time at Chepstow was a legitimate stop on the Gold Cup trail and won by the likes of Carvill's Hill and See More Business. Last year's winner Aye Right acquitted himself creditably as a big outsider at Cheltenham and is back, carrying more weight and 6lb higher in the handicap than when de facto topweight 12 months ago.

Perhaps the most interesting horse, besides L'Homme Presse, is right at the foot of the weights. Into Overdrive looked one for the Rehearsal or Rowland Meyrick when taking off in the spring, so it was extremely notable that he ran out such an impressive winner of a 2m3½f premier handicap chase at the Charlie Hall meeting on his reappearance.

A progressive and unexposed stayer, he would be a rightful favourite were it not for the presence of a potential Gold Cup winner in the field. He remains an entirely legitimate winner even with L'Homme Presse here, especially given he has race fitness on his side.

Happygolucky, who has not run since Grand National day last year, is the only other runner who could be said to have much scope for improvement. Yet veterans have had joy in the Rehearsal in recent seasons and ten-year-olds Dingo Dollar and Windsor Avenue are worth passing mention.

The former is likely to be better for his win at Aintree last time, although he has copped a 5lb rise for it. Handicapping is a big part of the case for Windsor Avenue, as he won the Sky Bet Handicap Chase in January off the same mark he will race off here. Three non-completions since do not bode so well, although he ought to be sharper for his reappearance behind Dingo Dollar.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Another ground check for L'Homme Presse

Constitution Hill is not the only leading light to have bypassed Ascot for a trip to Newcastle seven days later as L'Homme Presse heads north to start out on the road to the Cheltenham Gold Cup – providing conditions are suitable.

L'Homme Presse: will head north provided conditions are suitableCredit: Edward Whitaker

L'Homme Presse was one of the high-profile absentees last Saturday at Ascot and his participation as topweight in the Rehearsal Chase hinges on connections being happy with the state of the ground.

Joint-owner Andy Edwards said on Friday: "We're going up there 100 per cent wanting to run and I've had good reports from Newcastle that the ground is on the slow side of good to soft, with soft in places.

"The horse is going up and will be in the stables overnight and I'm going up tonight and will check the ground at lunchtime tomorrow. The only issue is that it's blue skies and sunny and we're the last race on the card, and there's always the proviso the ground dries out quickly from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon, as it did at Ascot last week.

"I have to be able to make the right decision for our horse when we get there and it's got to be the right ground for him."

L'Homme Presse, a brilliant winner of last season's Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, is a 10-1 shot for the Gold Cup and will need to show his class on his comeback in a handicap.

"It's a very hard assignment as he's handicapped to his best form whereas the others aren't," said Edwards. "It's not about him carrying 12st, it's that some others are getting nearly 2st off him and that gives them a massive advantage.

"We're going there with a favourite's chance and at the same time very realistic it's a handicap and it will be a very difficult race to win. He could defy the mark but it's hard to reproduce your best first time out."

What they say

Harriet Graham, joint-trainer of Aye Right
He won the race last year and we think he can do it again. It's a slightly different race and he's higher in the handicap, but we were pleased to see the topweight [L'Homme Presse] stayed in. We were really pleased with his comeback at Kelso when he was only beaten by a better-handicapped, younger horse. He'll go out and make it and hopefully nothing reels him in at the end.

Last year's winner Aye Right is back for moreCredit: Jonathan Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Kim Bailey, trainer of Happygolucky
I'm really pleased with him and he's in a good place, but this is a really competitive race, taking on Grade 1 horses. It's a big step up and I'd be delighted if he finished in the first three.

Sandy Thomson, trainer of Dingo Dollar
We were delighted with him at Aintree but he's gone up 5lb and we'll get an idea of whether the handicapper was right. He's very well but it's a big ask over a trip that's short of his best and taking on younger horses.

Mark Walford, trainer of Into Overdrive
He keeps improving and we're not sure where his improvement will stop. We were pleased with his Wetherby run and the 6lb rise is fair, but we're in a different grade again. He's certainly in great form at home and going back up to three miles won't be a problem. The track will suit him and good to soft ground would be fine. It looks a really hot race, but he's getting weight off them all and it should put us in there with a bit of a chance.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

Saturday's race previews:

1.20 Newbury: 'He's the ideal horse for it' - can Kapcorse strike again for Paul Nicholls?

1.55 Newbury: can West Balboa keep Walking On Air grounded in this competitive handicap?

2.10 Newcastle: 'I hope it's not a tactical affair' - Constitution Hill ready for Fighting Fifth

2.30 Newbury: is First Street the one? Nicky Henderson bids to enhance Gerry Feilden record

3.05 Newbury: 'He's come on a treat for the run' - key trainer quotes for 2022 Coral Gold Cup

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