L’Homme Presse primed for Cotswold repeat

Connections of L’Homme Presse are full of excitement ahead of his Betfair Cotswold Chase defence on Festival Trials day at Cheltenham.

Some of the Festival winner’s finest hours have come at Prestbury Park – including when storming home in this race 12 months ago – and Venetia Williams’ 11-year-old has his owners relishing another visit to jump racing HQ after an intended run in Warwick’s Classic Chase was curtailed by the weather.

“We’re looking forward to it and it’s a home game for us which is a big plus,” said Andy Edwards, who owns the horse under the DFA Racing banner in partnership with Pam Sharman, Ray Sharman and Peter and Patricia Pink.

“He’s proven over this trip on the New course and the others will have to bring their best game, we’re ready.

“I saw him on the gallops on Tuesday and he looked in top form, was moving nicely and we couldn’t he happier with him.”

L’Homme Presse has won three of his five starts at Cheltenham, with his only defeats coming when an honourable fourth in the 2024 Gold Cup and second on his reappearance last month under a big weight.

Having also finished ahead of rivals Grey Dawning and Spillane’s Tower when third in the 2024 King George, Edwards believes another bold bid is possible.

He added: “For a four-runner race it’s a competitive race and they are Grade One animals in a Grade Two. We’ve got to have a go for it and we’ll enjoy it.

“The others will need to prove they stay on this ground over this trip and it’s like the new kids on the block coming to have a go at the old boy, but they’ve got to prove themselves to get past him, so we will see if they can get up that hill.

“We’re excited about it and you have to be when you have a great horse like him. If you look at his performances, he’s very consistent and we’re really looking forward to it. We’re revved up, Charlie (Deutsch) is revved up and most importantly the horse is revved up.”

Since finishing behind L’Homme Presse at Kempton just over a year ago, Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning has won twice in three outings and was imperious in landing the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

Skelton is hoping his charge can now cement his status as one of Britain’s leading contenders for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

He said: “We have to go and put up a big run, but I feel like we can.

“He does have to prove his stamina at Cheltenham a little, but I think he answered that question quite well at Haydock and he’s an older horse and a strong horse and relaxes quite well, so I don’t have any fears about that.

“He is taking on good opposition around a tough track and it’s not going to be an easy race, they never are.”

Regarding the ground, which on Friday afternoon was described as soft, heavy in places, Skelton said: “I think we’ll be all right. I wouldn’t run if it was really heavy, but it’s drying. We’re running until we’re not.”

There is a dual Irish challenge with Jimmy Mangan’s Spillane’s Tower making his first Cheltenham start searching for a revival after some below-par displays this term.

“Jimmy seems very happy with him,” said owner JP McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry. “He’s lost his way a little bit and had a few disappointing runs, so we would love to see him get back on track with a good run.”

The other raider is Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter, who like L’Homme Presse has a fine record at the Gloucestershire track.

The dual Stayers’ Hurdle hero has also won over fences at Cheltenham, back in October 2023, and after 486 days off the track will put his Grand National aspirations to the test.

“It will be a small field, but a good race. Conditions should suit him and it’s great to have him back and hopefully he can run well,” said Cromwell.

“He’s won over fences around Cheltenham before and in the back of our heads he needs one more run over fences to qualify for the Grand National, so that will tick that box.

“We’ll see how he gets on in this and see where that leaves us.”