Venetia Williams’ L’Homme Presse objectives Cheltenham Gold Cup

After 13 months at the sidelines, essentially the most welcome sight of Lingfield Park’s Iciness Million Competition (19-21 January) was once the triumphant go back of the Venetia Williams-trained L’Homme Presse.

The French-bred son of Diamond Boy was once closing observed parting corporate with jockey Charlie Deutsch on the closing fence within the 2022 King George at Kempton Park and it’s been a long restoration since, involving cautious rehab and a lot of persistence from the homeowners.

On the other hand, despatched off favorite for Sunday’s (21 January) Fitzdares Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield, L’Homme Presse disregarded any ring rustiness to win impressively, cementing his position a few of the entries for the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Cheltenham Competition in March.

“It’s been a very long time coming,” mentioned Herefordshire-based Venetia Williams of her 2022 Brown Advisory winner on the Competition.

She plans to present the nine-year-old L’Homme Presse another run earlier than they head to the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a number one British fancy in opposition to the may of the Irish. The Gold Cup marketplace is these days headed via the Willie Mullins-trained protecting champion Galopin Des Champs.

L’Homme Presse: “He’s were given some gears”

L’Homme Presse neglected his ultimate training consultation because of closing week’s frozen floor and jockey Charlie Deutsch described him as “rusty” within the early phases of Lingfield’s 2m6f race, even “headbutting” the primary fence. However the gelding’s magnificence confirmed as they fended off the problem of twin Gold Cup-contender Protektorat for Harry and Dan Skelton, with former Welsh Nationwide winner Iwilldoit 3rd for teacher Sam Thomas with Sam Twiston-Davies within the saddle.

L’Homme Presse’s co-owner Andy Edwards described the pony’s successful comeback as “Christmas Day”, whilst the jockey punched the air on his as far back as the winner’s enclosure.

“It took a while to wind him up, however he’s proven his magnificence and he’s were given some gears on the finish,” mentioned Charlie Deutsch of his 7th chasing luck aboard L’Homme Presse, having additionally gained the Grade One Scilly Isles Learners’ Chase at Sandown and Ascot’s Commencement Chase since they first teamed up in combination on the finish of 2021.

Lingfield Park was once the only real jumps survivor of the new Arctic blast, so hats off to Lingfield Park’s clerk of the route Stephanie Wethered and her group for salvaging Sunday’s card. You’ll learn the total document on this week’s Horse & Hound mag, within the stores on Thursday 25 January.

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H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her position as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her world wide reporting from presentations and interviewing riders, connections and the ones concerned at the back of the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Recreation in 2005, she has written on each matter around the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to strong control — and has interviewed gold medallists, global champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand enjoy of operating within the equestrian trade as a using teacher and backyard supervisor.