L’Homme Presse prepared for Gold Cup with Venetia Williams poised for Ascot Chase debut

This Saturday’s £175,000 race is not an early closing event. Asked about the potential entry of L’Homme Presse in the race, trainer Venetia Williams expressed confidence, stating, “That’s the plan. He was very good at Lingfield and I’ve been very happy with him since.” L’Homme Presse demonstrated his ability in Grade 1 company during the 2021-22 season, securing victories in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown and the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.

Although the upcoming race will be over a shorter distance compared to his previous wins, his trainer is using it as a stepping stone towards a potential participation in the 3m2½f Gold Cup, where he is currently priced at 10-1. Reflecting on the race strategy, Williams remarked, “It’s a race that we took in with Teeton Mill a number of years ago after he’d been running over three miles.” It seems that L’Homme Presse’s participation in the upcoming race is viewed as a strategic move in pursuit of the coveted Gold Cup.