Exclusive:
Paul Nicholls heads into the Festival with a rather sub-par squad on paper, but the 14-time champion trainer is not to be underestimated and has an expensive fancy part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson
Harry Cobden on Caldwell Potter
Harry Cobden will be jocked up on the Paul Nicholls-trained Caldwell Potter
(
Image: PA)
News
Politics
Football
Celebs
TV
Shopping
Royals
Paul Nicholls is keen on the Cheltenham Festival chances of Caldwell Potter, who is part-owned by iconic Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The seven-year-old was purchased for a staggering £633,000 at an Irish public auction in February 2024, where Ferguson became one of four owners alongside peers Ged Mason, Peter Done, and the late John Hales. Previously in training with Gordon Elliott, the son of Martaline was prolific in bumpers before winning a Grade 1 hurdle at Leopardstown in December 2023.
Such promise saw a handsome sum parted ways with for the gelding, who switched handlers to Nicholls, though expectations have yet to be met. Over fences, Caldwell Potter has won just once - against a weak field over two miles at Carlisle - before tasting defeat twice as an odds-on favourite at Cheltenham and Windsor.
He enters the Festival ready to make his handicap debut off a mark of 146 - which Nicholls exclusively tells Mirror Racing is not only generous but will see him enter contentions in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase on Thursday afternoon.
Asked about his preparations before the Festival, Betfair ambassador Nicholls stated: "Touch wood, all's gone good. The ones we got a run into have got a run. The ones we wanted to give a racehorse gallop have had a racehorse gallop, so we're pretty well where we want to be.
"You go into the Festival thinking they've all got chances of winning - that's why you do it really. But realistically, that never really happens. I think Caldwell Potter is quite nicely in at 146.
"He's just dropped a little bit of a more realistic mark. Two and a half I think would suit him. I think two the last day, he was flat out all the way around Windsor. Everyone was telling me he was a two-miler, but I'm not convinced. Just wouldn't want the ground getting too fast but good to soft, or worse, would be ideal - and he'll run."
Caldwell Potter wins over hurdles at Leopardstown in 2023.
Caldwell Potter is an intended runner on Thursday
(
Image:
Niall Carson/PA Wire.)
Nicholls then reflected on the grey's three starts under his stewardship - which, in fairness, have not been entirely disgraceful. He finished third to leading Arkle contender Jango Baie at Cheltenham and was runner-up last time out behind the unpredictable Gidleigh Park at Windsor.
"It's sad in a lot of ways because those ones who get sold at public auction have got that [price tag] round their neck," continued Nicholls. "There's so many bought privately, that cost that and more, and it never gets mentioned. It's a bit of a poison chalice, but at the end of the day, you've just got to treat them all the same. If he's good enough, he's good enough, and if he's not, he's not."
Another race that will see Nicholls hopeful on Thursday is the opening Mares' Novices hurdle, where two of the market contenders are trained by the 14-time champ.
Sir Alex Ferguson part owns the grey ( Image: PA)
"Jubilee Alpha has been a very interesting filly this year, in the fact that her form's good, she must have a nice chance in that mare's race, but Just A Rose is in there as well," Nicholls added. "There's not a lot between them at home.
"She's unbeaten but lacks a bit of experience. I think you go into it thinking that you've got lots of chances, and hopefully, one of them might be good enough to win."
To hear more from Betfair Ambassadors Paul Nicholls and Rachael Blackmore watch them on Betfair's Racing… Only Bettor podcast Cheltenham preview special now.