PRESSE CLAIMS AT ASCOT!
Connections of l’homme Presse are putting thoughts of the Cheltenham Gold Cup to one side as he heads to the Betfair Ascot Chase.
Venetia Williams’ nineyear-old has already tasted success at the Cheltenham Festival as a novice, but missed out on a shot at the blue riband in 2023 as an injury following his run in the King George Vi Chase curtailed his season.
After a 391-day absence l’homme Presse returned in style to claim the Fleur De lys Chase at lingfield last month and having missed out on Grade One opportunities, connections are excited to head to Ascot today for a race won by some of the greats over the years.
“We’re very calm and relaxed and looking forward to it,” said Andy edwards, who co-owns l’homme Presse with Peter and Patricia Pink. “The horse is well and it’s exciting to be in a Grade One chase at Ascot.”
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He went on: “When i was young and thought about owning a racehorse, days like saturday are what dreams are made of. Footballers want to play in the FA Cup final at Wembley and for me to be in a Grade One chase at Ascot is a privilege. Although everyone wants to talk about the Gold Cup, this is its own race in its own right and deserves proper merit.
“Cheltenham is obviously his end goal, but it is not the be all and end all. it may be the Olympics of our sport and where we want to get to, but there are lots of fantastic opportunities on the way and as we found out last year, you have to take your opportunities, because your dreams could be cut short very quickly — you can’t put your eggs in one basket.”