L'Homme Presse 7-1 for Cheltenham Gold Cup after comeback victory

Saturday: Rehearsal Handicap Chase, Newcastle

L’Homme Presse recorded a comfortable victory in his comeback run in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle, coasting to success under jockey Charlie Deutsch to win as the 6-4 favourite.

While the winning distance was a length, the manner of the performance and the weight-carrying effort put up by L’Homme Presse was enough for him to be shortened to 7-1 (from 10) for the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup by Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook.

“He’s a brilliant horse, very classy,” Deutsch said. “I was trying to make it as straightforward as I could for myself and him.

“We had one scare at the first in the straight on the first lap as I left it to him but he survived and jumped brilliantly apart from that. He ran through to the line and he’s not short of gears. He’s a wonderful horse.”

L’Homme Presse jumped smartly and travelled strongly under Deutsch, with the rider having a look around approaching the penultimate fence as he tried to ensure he claimed victory without overly asking his mount.

The pair cleared the final fence comfortably and stretched clear of the persistent Happygolucky before having more than enough in hand to stay ahead of Into Overdrive, who was receiving 26lb from the winner.

Andy Edwards, joint-owner of L'Homme Presse alongside Peter Pink, said: "To do that on his first run of the season was fantastic. He was ready to race but he'll come on a lot for that. The scare at the sixth fence woke him up, where he nearly went.

"My only concern was that he might be a bit ring-rusty round the fences. It will have to rain a hell of a lot for him to run in the King George."

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