13 January 2023 , 19:20
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Cheltenham Gold Cup second favourite L’Homme Presse will miss the Festival showpiece in March, it was announced on Friday night.
Last season’s star novice had run a terrific race in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day before unseating Charlie Deutsch at the final obstacle as he battled it out with Bravemansgame.
A statement issued on behalf of trainer Venetia Williams and owners DFA Racing said: "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."
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L'Homme Presse (left) will not race at the Cheltenham Festival (PA)L’Homme Presse won twice at the highest level last season – 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.
Williams is yet to win the Gold Cup and is likely to rely on Royale Pagaille, who is a best-priced 66-1 with a number of firms for the Cheltenham Festival feature.