Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

A DAY after her colleague Alan King bridged a seven-year gap between winners at the meeting Venetia Williams ended an even longer fallow period as L’Homme Presse credited the trainer with her first Festival success since 2013.

A first Grade 1 winner at this meeting for the trainer and her seventh in all, L’Homme Presse was another horse whose target was only decided lately with connections opting to come here rather than wait for the Turners the next day. The decision was inspired as the son of Diamond Boy produced a really classy effort to justify 9/4 favouritism.

The rain that fell throughout the morning and early afternoon on Wednesday threatened to make this a thoroughly exacting test and Paul Nicholls opted to scratch long-time fancy Bravemansgame at the last minute. Even had he taken part that one would have had his hands full to deal with L’Homme Presse who revelled in his first try at this distance.

Confidence

Jockey Charlie Deutsch, riding his first Festival winner, had every confidence in his mount by sending him past Ahoy Senor to lead before halfway. The victorious seven-year-old then proceeded to turn in a most accomplished display and a series of bold jumps that brought several roars of approval from the crowd.

By the time L’Homme Presse turned for home he still held a useful lead, but poised on the outside was Farouk D’Alene who came down when still to be asked for his all. This left the leader firmly in charge and he got home by three and a half lengths from Ahoy Senor who ran a tremendous race as he did make a couple of serious errors over the course of his round. Gaillard Du Mesnil, who is still a maiden over fences, ran a fine race to secure third ahead of his Mullins-trained stable mate Capodanno.

“I didn’t really have any concerns about the trip and we always felt he was going to be a three-miler,” stated the delighted trainer. “How was I feeling – sick every stride of the stride of the race!

“Charlie is a fantastic rider and he’s done the right thing. The leader was no help to him so he took the lead off him when he needed him to and he’s only picked up his stick once. He’s a big, rangy horse and we know he jumps well so we wanted to be positive on him and the ground wasn’t a worry.”