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L’Homme Presse Withdrawn from 2025 Grand National Bid
Star chaser ruled out of Aintree showcase as connections run out of time
Disappointment for Venetia Williams and Owners
One of Britain’s most talented staying chasers, L’Homme Presse, has been officially ruled out of the 2025 Randox Grand National at Aintree, following a frustrating battle to regain peak fitness after a recent setback.
The 10-year-old gelding, trained by Venetia Williams, had already missed his intended engagement in the Cheltenham Gold Cup due to a minor issue, and his participation in the Grand National – scheduled for Saturday, 5 April – had been in doubt ever since.
Now, with preparations falling short of expectations, his owners have confirmed that their Aintree dreams are over for this season.
Owner: “We Just Ran Out of Time”
Speaking to the PA news agency, part-owner Andy Edwards said:
“Sadly, L’Homme Presse will not run in the Grand National. He is sound and fine, but we just ran out of time. We are bitterly disappointed not to be running next weekend.”
Edwards owns the horse in partnership with Pam and Ray Sharman, and Peter and Patricia Pink – a syndicate that has enjoyed immense success with the popular chaser in recent years. The decision not to run at Aintree comes as a blow, both to connections and to British racing fans, many of whom had tipped L’Homme Presse to be a leading home contender.
A Glittering Career Paused
L’Homme Presse has developed into a top-tier staying chaser, earning admiration for his relentless galloping style and strong finishing efforts in some of the sport’s toughest tests.
After rising through the novice ranks, he landed the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022, announcing himself as a future Gold Cup contender. He then returned to Prestbury Park in 2023, finishing a creditable fourth in the Gold Cup, behind Galopin Des Champs.
This season, he opened his campaign with an encouraging third-place finish in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, before impressively landing the Cotswold Chase on Festival Trials Day in January – a performance that boosted his credentials for a spring campaign aimed at both Cheltenham and Aintree.
However, his plans unravelled last month when he was pulled up early in the Ascot Chase, a worrying sign that led connections to reassess their approach.
No Grand National Debut – What’s Next?
The Randox Grand National would have marked L’Homme Presse’s first attempt over the iconic Aintree fences, and his withdrawal denies British racing one of its most high-profile challengers for the £1 million showpiece.
While not traditionally viewed as a “National type”, L’Homme Presse had the class, stamina and jumping ability to give connections a live chance in a year where Irish-trained contenders once again dominate the betting market.
His absence adds to the list of notable non-runners this spring, including Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, who was also withdrawn from Grand National consideration in the aftermath of his Prestbury Park exploits.
It remains to be seen whether L’Homme Presse will return later in the season or be kept fresh for the 2025–26 campaign, though the owners have reassured fans that the horse remains “sound and fine”, suggesting this is more of a precautionary withdrawal than a career-threatening issue.
British Hopes Diminished
L’Homme Presse’s exit is not just a personal blow for his owners and trainer but also a setback for the British challenge in a race increasingly dominated by Irish runners.
In recent years, the likes of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead have fielded strong teams, with I Am Maximus (2024), Minella Times (2021), and Tiger Roll (2018, 2019) all bringing the prize back across the Irish Sea.
L’Homme Presse was seen as one of Britain’s best hopes of turning the tide this time, alongside horses like Iroko, Monbeg Genius, and Kandoo Kid – but without him, the task looks tougher still.
Delicate Balancing Act
The decision to withdraw L’Homme Presse from the 2025 Grand National is a reminder of the delicate balancing act trainers and owners face when preparing horses for demanding spring targets. While fans will be disappointed not to see him take on Aintree’s famous fences, the long-term wellbeing of the horse clearly remains the top priority.
For Venetia Williams – who famously trained Mon Mome to win the Grand National at 100/1 in 2009 – the wait for a second success in the world’s greatest steeplechase continues.
But with L’Homme Presse still healthy and capable, there may yet be more chapters to write in this gallant chaser’s story.
