'Galopin Des Champs is a champion but you don’t worry about one horse' - L'Homme Presse tees up Gold Cup bid

L'Homme Presse silenced any doubts over his stamina as he stayed on bravely to hold off Stage Star in the Betfair Cotswold Chase and underline his Gold Cup credentials.

Andy Edwards, who bought the ten-year-old and heads ownership group Dfa Racing, said he has “complete faith” in the 2022 Cheltenham Festival winner as he was cut to 16-1 (from 25) with Coral to topple Galopin Des Champs in the Boodles-sponsored showpiece on March 14.

His festival heroics in the Brown Advisory almost three years ago had been his most recent victory at the track, and the flagbearer for the Venetia Williams stable was sent off 4-5 favourite to make his class prevail after an encouraging third on his comeback in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Charlie Deutsch took up a prominent position as course specialist Stage Star made the running. Little changed throughout as the six runners completed the first 19 fences, with the favourite producing a smooth round of jumping. However, if the majority of the race provided little drama, the finale made up for it. 

Deutsch and the Harry Cobden-ridden Stage Star turned for home side by side with the pair of talented young riders already beginning to wind up to a finishing effort. The pair soared over the final two fences in sync and it was stamina, which had dominated the pre-race talk, that would prove decisive.

If L’Homme Presse finished strongly then his place in the Gold Cup was secured, and he sparked the 20,126 on track into raptures as he surged home to pip Stage Star by three-quarters of a length.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with that,” said Edwards. “A lot of people, ill-informed I’d say, said he didn’t stay in the Gold Cup but he was struck into by Gerri Colombe and had a big gash in the back of his leg which hindered him. He stayed that comfortably on very tacky ground. 

“The Gold Cup is a different pace but it’s nice to see him run through the line and do what he needed to. He’ll come on for it and Charlie always thought he had enough left.”

Edwards revealed he does not lose sleep or get too nervous ahead of big races as he looked ahead to a return to the Gold Cup in March. L’Homme Presse was beaten 15 and a half lengths when fourth last season.

Stage Star and L'Homme Presse in perfect harmony jumping the lastCredit: Edward Whitaker

“I’ve got complete faith in him and I always have ever since I bought him,” the part-owner said. “Everyone else gets a bit nervous but I’m relaxed. Galopin Des Champs is a champion but you don’t worry about one horse. Please God, we’re all here in March for the spectacle the Gold Cup is.”

L’Homme Presse will be bidding to become the first Cotswold Chase winner to follow up in the Gold Cup since Looks Like Trouble in 2000, and Williams was more tentative about his chances.

“We’re pleased to get this race in the bag,” she said. “We’ll see about the Gold Cup now. It’s one step at a time. You don’t know which of the main protagonists will turn up on the day on the top of their game. We’ll see – it’s another day but I don’t think stamina is a problem.”

Cheltenham Gold Cup (March 14)

Coral: 5-6 Galopin Des Champs, 5 Fact To File, 10 Banbridge, 12 Gerri Colombe, 14 Monty’s Star, 16 L’Homme Presse, Grey Dawning, Corbetts Cross, 25 Embassy Gardens, 33 bar.

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