Can anyone beat odds-on trio A Plus Tard, Constitution Hill and L’Homme Presse?

Some of jump racing's stars are set to reappear this Saturday but will they make successful returns? L'Homme Presse, Constitution Hill and A Plus Tard are the names to note and we assess the likelihood of them winning . . .

L'Homme Presse: 8-1 for the 2023 Cheltenham Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

L’Homme Presse
Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (2.05 Ascot)

Odds: 4-6 L'Homme Presse, 3 Pic D'Orhy, 7-2 Dashel Drasher, 6 Hitman, Saint Calvados, 10 Do Your Job, 16 Caribean Boy, Coole Cody, 40 Jacamar

It may not be the easiest of tasks for L'Homme Presse to give 3lb to Ascot specialist Dashel Drasher, who has four wins and a third from six course starts to his name and returned with victory over hurdles at Aintree two weeks ago.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy, a Grade 2 winner at this track, is another likely threat, with stablemate Hitman more likely to run in a graduation chase at Haydock.

Likelihood of a L’Homme Presse victory: 3/5

Constitution Hill: big Champion Hurdle hope for BritainCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Constitution Hill
Coral Hurdle (2.40 Ascot)

Odds: 2-7 Constitution Hill, 5 Brewin'upastorm, 6 Good Risk At All, 7 Goshen, 8 Theatre Glory, 10 Saint Sam, 33 bar

The market suggests Brewin’upastorm is his main danger, but even at the weights, Constitution Hill has 12lb to spare with his Olly Murphy-trained rival who unseated his rider on his reappearance in the race won by Dashel Drasher.

Goshen was not declared for a novice handicap chase at Ascot on Friday and is among the entries. He has another chasing option at Kempton on Monday, however, and would have to give Constitution Hill 3lb here.

It is very hard to see anything but victory for last season’s Supreme star.

Likelihood of a Constitution Hill victory: 5/5

A Plus Tard: bids for back-to-back Betfair Chase winsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A Plus Tard
Betfair Chase (3.00 Haydock)

Odds: 8-15 A Plus Tard, 9-4 Protektorat, 5 Bristol De Mai, 12 Eldorado Allen, 16 Frodon

A market drift on Tuesday cast some doubt over A Plus Tard’s participation but it is reportedly all systems go for this year’s Gold Cup winner to return in a race he dominated last season.

It is difficult to forget his oh so easy victory at Haydock last term, although in Gold Cup third Protektorat he does face a genuine top-level rival.

The Dan Skelton-trained chaser has been for three awaydays in preparation for this event. He will be primed and ready, as will three-time Betfair Chase winner Bristol De Mai, so it’s by no means a penalty kick, particularly if the ground at Haydock begins to turn heavy with rain forecast on Thursday and Friday.

Likelihood of an A Plus Tard victory: 4/5

Read more . . .

A Betfair Chase edge? Joe Tizzard happy to take on A Plus Tard at Haydock

In-form Nicholls undeterred by 'impossible task' of Frodon taking on A Plus Tard

Nicky Henderson hopes 'rain arrives swiftly' before Constitution Hill comeback

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