'I gave it a Superman' - Deutsch delight at first Grade 1 with L'Homme Presse

Saturday: Sandown

It was 20 years ago in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase that Venetia Williams sent out her seventh Grade 1 winner. The wait for her eighth was ended in the same Virgin Bet-sponsored prize as L'Homme Presse gave Charlie Deutsch his first top-flight triumph with a performance worthy of a landmark moment.

As Deutsch guided the 21-length victor into Sandown's famous winner's enclosure he was greeted by his fellow jockeys, who left the weighing room to applaud one of its most popular members, a man who now has on his side one of Britain's most exciting young horses.

2.20 Sandown: full result and replay

For the trainer and rider this was an important day. For part-owner Andy Edwards it was emotional. He struggled to hold back tears when speaking of his joy at seeing L'Homme Presse prove to be the thrilling talent he believed he could be when buying him as an injured animal from French connections. The seven-year-old is now completely fixed and soaring to impressive heights.

He also soared over Sandown's fences, jumping superbly on his way to a defeat of Mister Coffey and Pic D'Orhy that Deutsch marked with a long punch of the air.

L'Homme Presse and Charlie Deutsch take the open ditch in front of the grandstands during the Scilly Isles Novices' ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I thought I was well clear so I gave it a 'Superman'," said Deutsch, whose mount is now quoted between 4-1 and 11-2 for the Cheltenham Festival's Turners Novices' Chase, behind only Ireland's Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs.

"This is a huge moment for me," he added. "Grade 1s can seem a long way off but when you get the right horse they're not a long way off. It's really special to win my first one for someone who has supported me for so long. It means everything to do it for the team."

The leader of that team on Sunday leaves Gatwick for a skiing holiday. She will surely do so with a smile to match the one sported by Edwards at Sandown.

"This is a dream come true," he said. "The first thing I said to Venetia when I took him off the lorry and handed him over is she should take her time because this is a proper horse. Honestly, this is amazing."

Charlie Deutsch, Venetia Williams and groom Beth Baldwin pose with L'Homme PresseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Perhaps L'Homme Presse could be as well. He certainly looks a wonderful prospect for a trainer who has made headlines with household names like Teeton Mill, Lady Rebecca and Mon Mome.

"The trouble is in those days I had only been training for five minutes," said Williams. "I thought that's how it was.

"Everybody has been very kind about the season we've been having but when I look back to those days – and even a few years ago – we were having 70, 80, even 90 winners a season. Now I think, blimey, how the hell did we do that? I think the world of racing is more competitive nowadays.

"It's nice to have another Grade 1 winner in the same race we had our last an embarrassingly long time ago. I've talked enough now, though."

Thanks to L'Homme Presse, she may be asked to say considerably more in the future.

Read more Saturday reports:

Irish Gold Cup: 'I said he'd win or pull up' - Elliott joy as Conflated shocks Gold Cup rivals

Expert jury: 'He was wildly impressive and is one of the most fluent jumpers around'

Irish Arkle: Blue Lord survives stewards' inquiry to continue Willie Mullins hot streak

Spring Juvenile Hurdle: Vauban vying for Triumph Hurdle favouritism after awesome Spring Juvenile win

Leopardstown: 'It was a fantastic performance' - Minella Cocooner slashed for Albert Bartlett

Sandown: Josh Moore enjoys first success of comeback and rewards punter's £75,000 bet

Wetherby: Cheltenham Ahoy! Lucinda Russell looking to Brown Advisory with star novice

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