Connections of L’Homme Presse have been left “completely devastated” after revealing their staying stalwart will miss the Randox Grand National.
The 11-year-old's team were relishing a tilt at the Aintree marathon, but he was discovered to be lame by trainer Venetia Williams, meaning although the issue is expected to be minor the popular gelding will now require a spell of rest and recuperation.
"I'm completely devastated and so are the others," said Andy Edwards, who owns the horse under the DFA Racing banner in partnership with Pam Sharman, Ray Sharman and Peter and Patricia Pink.
"I watched him work last week and it was big grins all round, but then on Tuesday morning I got a phone call from Venetia saying he was a little bit lame in front where he has had his previous issues and they couldn't trot him up and get him to pass the video needed for the vets.
"He's gone into the Three Counties Equine Hospital to find out a little bit more. It's nothing serious and the X-rays haven't shown up anything horrible. He's going back to the yard later today and will be allowed out in the small paddock.
"He won't be ready in time [for Aintree] and he wouldn't be allowed to run as he couldn't pass the video of his trot up. He does this now and again and has a bit of soreness for two or three days days and then is sound again, but he does need some rest and medication.
"He's had less issues this season and Venetia has had the National in mind since last summer, so it's just awful it has happened now."
Winner of the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival in 2022, L'Homme Presse has defied his age with a string of consistent efforts at a high level this season, most recently staying on into fifth place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
It is second year running that L'Homme Presse will miss the world's most famous steeplechase due to a setback and it is a bitter pill to swallow for his likeable collection of ever-loyal owners, who have enjoyed some brilliant days by the veteran's side.
Edwards continued: "For owners of our ilk, to have a horse so wonderful and brilliant competing at that level for so many years - and now aged 11 - for that to culminate with him running in the Grand National would have been the pinnacle.
"We all thought it was made for him and he had a really good chance, so to have that cruelly taken away is painful.
"Our first concern is always the horse and we'll find out more today, but he will be fine. Ultimately we would rather find out now than halfway round at Aintree.
"However, this one is gut-wrenching as the same thing happened last year ahead of the Grand National. We missed both the Gold Cup and Grand National last year and it's happened again - it's tough."
Although conversations over his future will take place over the summer, there is hope L'Homme Presse will be able to recommence his career in the autumn, with Edwards revealing his greatest servant is the last horse he has remaining in training following plenty of misfortune over recent years.
"Last year over a 12-month period I lost nine horses to career-ending or fatal injuries, and I've lost another three to career-ending injuries this year," he said.
"It's hard and you have to medicate, rehab and retrain them and then find a new home for them. After L'Homme Presse I will not have anything left and over the last 15 months I've lost 12 horses in a row - it's devastating.
"With my connection to the horses it's exhausting. Everyone knows I put my all into my horses and it gets to you emotionally when things like this happen.
"To have a horse run well in the Grand National would have been the culmination of everything I have tried to achieve, but sadly it is not to be.
"Venetia is confident this isn't the end, but I'm not so sure I would want to put him through it any more with how wonderful he has been. I would rather focus on his brilliance and what he has achieved from humble beginnings. They're discussions to be had over the summer and once we know more."
