L'Homme Presse to miss Gold Cup

Leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender L'Homme Presse will miss the Festival showpiece in March, connections have announced.

The winner of six of his eight starts over fences, the eight-year-old had run a fine race in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park last month before unseating Charlie Deutsch at the last fence, where he just looked to be held at the time by Bravemansgame.

Last season saw him win twice at the highest level – in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown and the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

He had reappeared this season with a fine weight-carrying performance in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle and was behind only the Willie Mullins-trained Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup market.

A statement issued on behalf of trainer Venetia Williams and owners DFA Racing on Friday read: "We have given L’Homme Presse some time to get over his exertions in the King George before carrying out some veterinary investigations which have concluded today.

"Unfortunately, these have revealed that he has a couple of issues that, although temporary, mean that he will not be able to run in this year’s Gold Cup.

"He will be given time and patience to recover fully and we will monitor his rehabilitation over the next few weeks before making a decision on any future races in the spring."