L’HOMME Presse (155+) is all set for Cheltenham and a possible clash with Bob Olinger and maybe Galopin Des Champs following his clear-cut success in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

The seven-year-old has achieved much better time figures this season but was not required to perform to anywhere near his best to beat Mister Coffey (134).

The only concern rider Charlie Deutsch had on the way round was the inconvenience of the loose Gladiateur Allen, who momentarily lit up his mount at the first of the Railway fences.

However, once he departed, Venetia Williams’s gelding sauntered home from the pond fence in 43.7secs, 0.2secs quicker than Dolos (148) and 0.4secs faster than Le Milos (140), winners on the same card.

Impressive

Goshen (160) regained the winning thread in the Contenders Hurdle with an impressive 15-length victory over Guard Your Dreams (145). The time-figure was far and away the best of the day as Gary Moore’s gelding benefitted from the presence of Global Citizen (130) who helped force a strong pace.

The closing sectionals were comparatively slow compared to the rest of the race as the six-year-old covered the ground from the second last hurdle in 35.2secs.

In comparison Green Book (140) clocked 35.8secs in the long-distance handicap and Shallwehaveonemore (137+), who looks a nice prospect for the Moore stable, stopped the clock at 33.5secs.

Easy Senor

Ahoy Senor (157+) confirmed himself for Cheltenham or Aintree with an easy win in the Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby and, although the Lucinda Russell-trained gelding surpassed his previous time figures, he still has plenty of untapped potential to rate considerably higher.

Only asked to lengthen in the home straight, the seven-year-old completed the closing sectional 0.2secs quicker than Wetherby specialist Schiehallion Munro (145) who raced over a shorter distance.

Eyecatchers