PAUL NICHOLLS says his superstar £640,000 Grade 1 winner has been ‘transformed’ ahead of the new season – and could target the Gold Cup.
Caldwell Potter. who is 33-1 for the Cheltenham feature, has ‘never looked better’ in the eyes of his Ditcheat trainer.
PASir Alex Ferguson celebrates Caldwell Potters’ Cheltenham Festival victory – and the Man Utd legend could soon have a Gold Cup contender on his hands[/caption]
And that will be great news for Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the stunning grey’s co-owners.
Sir Alex and a group of mates that included the late John Hales forked out more than £600,000 for Caldwell Potter when he was sold from Gordon Elliott’s yard.
He won on debut at Carlisle but then suffered back-to-back defeats at odds-on before winning the novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham Festival.
Caldwell Potter followed that up with a 3m Grade 1 Mildmay victory at Aintree’s Grand National Festival.
He has enjoyed his summer break and is back in with Nicholls now, who spoke in glowing terms about the seven-year-old during a recent yard visit.
Nicholls knows exactly what it takes to win the big ones and reckons Caldwell Potter could develop into a Gold Cup horse.
He said a simple change to his shoes has ‘transformed’ him – and sounded excited about the new campaign.
Nicholls told Sporting Life: “He was an interesting horse last season.
“John Hales bought him for plenty of money and got all his mates involved in him.
“We had plenty of stick for giving plenty of money for him, but he is one of only two horses to win at the Cheltenham Festival then at Aintree afterwards last season.
“If we have plenty of rain he could well start in the Intermediate Chase at Newton Abbot for the race we have won with Bravemansgame, Black Corton and Pic D’Orhy.
“If the ground is right then we will go.
“We could go for the Paddy Power Gold Cup, or even something like the Betfair Chase.
“His feet were problematic last year, but we have got on top of that now.
“If we can keep that right it might just open up a few more avenues.
“He has some new stick on shoes now, rather than ones that are conventionally nailed on, and they have transformed him.
“I think he can be a Gold Cup horse.
“I’m not necessarily saying this season but in time he could and I’ve never seen him look better than he does now.”
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