Caldwell Potter set for Aintree assignment, as Paul Nicholls aims to give Sir Alex Ferguson another memorable win on Merseyside


  • Paul Nicholls will aim to give Sir Alex Ferguson another Merseyside win
  • Caldwell Potter, the most expensive National Hunt horse, is set for Aintree
  • Cheltenham will come too quick, but there are plans for a race in April

Paul Nicholls will aim to give Sir Alex Ferguson another memorable win on Merseyside when he runs Caldwell Potter for the first time.

Caldwell Potter became the most expensive National Hunt horse sold at a public auction earlier this month when Ferguson and his associates John Hales, Peter Done and Ged Mason paid £634,000 to buy at a dispersal sale at Tattersalls in Ireland.

The handsome grey was being prepared for the Cheltenham Festival by former trainer Gordon Elliott but Nicholls wanted to give the gelding time to acclimatise to new surrounds in Ditcheat.

Nicholls has been thrilled with how he has adapted and provided there are no hiccups, he will run Caldwell Potter in a Grade One novice hurdle race over two and a half miles in April.

‘He’s settled in nicely,’ said Nicholls. ‘He is doing everything we have asked of him so far very well and the plan is to go to Aintree with him.’

Caldwell Potter, the most expensive National Hunt horse, is being prepared for Aintree in April

Caldwell Potter, the most expensive National Hunt horse, is being prepared for Aintree in April

Trainer Paul Nicholls (R) hopes to get Sir Alex Ferguson another famous victory on Merseyside

Trainer Paul Nicholls (R) hopes to get Sir Alex Ferguson another famous victory on Merseyside

James Doyle, who was appointed first jockey for Qatar owners Wathnan Racing in the autumn, will also link up with trainer Roger Varian during the new Flat season and take the rides when stable jockey David Egan is needed elsewhere.



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