The connection of exciting chasers L’Homme Presse is keeping all options open as they chart the path to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The seven-year-old won five straight chases for Venetia Williams last season, culminating in an impressive win over Ahoy Senor in the Brown 1st Grade Men’s Newbies Race at Cheltenham.

Although that opponent beat him in his final run in Mildmay at Aintree, the pair could lock horns again in the Gold Cup next March.

L’Homme Presse’s connections are mulling ideas as they chart a path towards the Gold Cup – for which he’s a 12/1 shot in general – but the Betfair Chase tilt at Haydock has been ruled out.

Part owner Andy Edwards has also warned punters to avoid making any pre-post bets on L’Homme Presse for King George VI Chase, who he is currently the third favorite with overall ratio 7/1.

“The full intention is the Gold Cup. That’s the goal,” he said. “We’re going to work towards that and like we did last year, we want to build the path to the Gold Cup in just a few small steps. We don’t want to let him out too soon.

“Everything is on the table, whether it’s the qualifying races or the handicap he can get into.”

He added: “Venetia and the owners had some conversations and agreed, ‘let’s not plan this year, get ideas’, because you never know what’s around. corner.

“He is currently racing against the big boys and the options are extremely limited if we go down the classified routes.

“He will not go to France or Ireland, or the pursuit of Betfair in Haydock. Nor do we intend to go looking for King George, although there are some circumstances under which he could run for King George. Therefore, he will have an entry.

“Those situations could be: one, the weather; two, our picks – we might have waited too long and missed other races; three, the opposition might have had a problem. The subject and the race seemed more comfortable to us.

“It would have to be a specific set of circumstances for us to be able to run. Nothing can be ruled out, but quite clearly, we don’t intend to go for King George. We want to make those who do. bettors know as soon as possible about our intentions.

“Overall, he’ll likely have more entries than he runs this year, because the options are limited.

“He might have two or three picks, but they could all be spaced out within two or three weeks, so you really only have one chance to run.”

L’Homme Presse, the Edwards-owned company in partnership with Pam Edwards, and Peter and Patricia Pink under the DFA Racing banner, didn’t start the previous campaign until December.

His talent quickly became apparent as he assisted his Dipper Chase win at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day with a 21-fight win in the Scilly Isles Grade One Rookies Race at Sandown .

However, the connections are in no hurry to name the starting point of this term.

Edwards explained: “The horse will let us know when it’s ready to go and would be happy to see it in November somewhere.

“We are ready to accept handicappers, open for qualifying races and open for different distances to build a good route to the Gold Cup.

“When the horse comes to itself, that’s when it will be ready.

“We want to see him in November and December, and one or two before the Gold Cup. But I looked in January and there is no race for him anywhere.

“After saying all that, he looks amazing. He’s moving great and we’re really excited. Keep the faith!”