Is easy Dipper winner L'Homme Presse a serious Cheltenham Festival contender?

'I took 25-1 for the Ryanair'

I think L'Homme Presse is the second-best, if not the best, British novice chaser I've seen this season.

His jumping still has room for improvement after putting down on Charlie Deutsch a couple of times, but he appeared to improve as the race went on to run out a hugely impressive winner.

The Glancing Queen is a decent mare and she travelled into the race strongly yet he dispatched her with the minimum of fuss despite carrying 7lb more. He also ran a second quicker than feature handicap winner Vienna Court carrying 11lb more.

He's still a novice, so the Turners Novices' Chase would appear the logical target, but I wouldn't be surprised if he took in the Ryanair Chase instead.

Venetia Williams went for gold with Royale Pagaille last year and I think she might be tempted with this horse too – I took the 25-1 with Unibet straight after the race.
Maddy Playle, journalist

'He'll need to step up once more but that's perfectly possible'

He's still got a bit to do, but he's certainly heading in the right direction for the festival. The Turners Novices' Chase, run over the same course and distance, looks the race for him there, and I'm not one of those who thinks current favourite Bob Olinger is the next wonder horse.

L'Homme Presse (right): easy winner of the DipperCredit: Edward Whitaker

L'Homme Presse looked better going round Cheltenham, with the turning left-hand circuit suiting him ideally. However, the form is probably just a bit shy of Grade 1 standard at the moment, so he’ll need to step up once more. If it was soft ground in March, that's perfectly possible.
James Hill, tipster

'The engine is there'

An extremely serious one if Venetia Williams maintains her magic touch and Charlie Deutsch continues to ride with aplomb come March.

The seven-year-old seems blessed with a fine blend of speed and stamina and it was hard not to be taken with how he swept away from The Glancing Queen, a smart, in-form mare who was getting weight, but was ten lengths adrift.

He probably would not need to be running on quick ground, but that prospect is not exactly likely at the festival and it is a big plus he has been there and done it at Cheltenham.

He has room for improvement in the jumping department, but has the engine to make him a player, most likely in the Turners Novices' Chase.
James Burn, Lambourn correspondent

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