Andy Edwards’ Cheltenham Gold Cup dream stays alive regardless of L’Homme Presse being crushed by an excellent efficiency of the track Pic D’Orhy within the Betfair Ascot Chase.
Edwards stated it was a privilege to compete in opposition to the likes of Pique Doshi and Ahoy Senna within the Group One Ascot forward of the occasion and he noticed loads of positivity regardless of the defeat at Berkshire aspect.
Final season, the Connects missed an opportunity to compete within the blue ribbon competitors attributable to an harm to their constant star in Venetia Williams.
Nonetheless, regardless of some rest in Gold Cup betting following the defeat at Ascot, L’Homme Presse’s eyes stay firmly mounted on a return to Prestbury Park and the nine-year-old’s A few of the finest performances on the pitch.
Edwards stated: “He is bought the identical likelihood as he did yesterday and he is the horse.
“That race was a bit quick for him, the bottom was dry, however there aren’t any excuses and the winner received properly and we’re completely satisfied.
“He crossed the road and gave it his finest effort on the finish. 5 further furlongs [in the Cheltenham Gold Cup] This was his very best journey, it did not rain final night time which is all the time robust. “
L’Homme Presse returned from harm within the Fleur De Lys Chase at Lingfield final month however discovered himself trailing from the beginning as Pic D’Orhy took full benefit of a house race on a monitor he was aware of, Bounce and get in each yard.
This was a sport that was finally performed on dry, smooth floor and, regardless of tentative concerns of pulling out the stumps and heading straight to the Cheltenham Competition, the crew opted for the sporting choice to play the sport and end them as deliberate gold cup preparations.
Edwards added: “We did think about pulling him out however he wants runs earlier than the Gold Cup so now we have to be completely satisfied. He wants runs to hone himself and issues went in Piqué Doshi’s favor in the present day .”
“If there was any nerves it was that one thing may go unsuitable in the present day. But it surely’s good, he is crossed the end line and if it was smooth in some locations it might need been a unique consequence.”
Edwards did not hesitate to say that final 12 months’s harm, which sidelined L’Homme Presse for greater than a 12 months, taught him to understand each alternative to compete on the large stage, and although it did not include a win this time, the look on his face He confirmed an unshakable smile.
“It is a privilege to be in first grade and that is what it is all about and we’ll get pleasure from this second. We’re completely satisfied and we will go to Cheltenham with a smile on our face.
“We bought away with it at Linfield, we didn’t in the present day, however in the long run we completed second within the Grade 1 race at Ascot and I’m delighted.”