Carlisle: Caldwell Potter, the star attraction

Class 1 winning hurdler Caldwell Potter makes his stable debut for Paul Nicholls in what will be his first start over fences in Carlisle’s 2m Novice Chase (12.55).

The six-year-old sold for a National Hunt record €740,000 as part of Andrew and Gemma Brown’s sale at Caldwell Construction in February, having won the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last December when trained by Gordon Elliott.

Owners Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason, John Hales and Peter Done will be hoping Caldwell Potter’s dangers are better than their other exciting youngster, Kalif Du Berlais, who fell on his chase debut at this course before making good at Newbury on Friday.

Caldwell Potter is only Nicholls’ second runner at the Cumbria venue since February 2021 and he said: “We’re looking forward to it. Hopefully he jumps nicely and it should be a nice starting point for him. Two miles up there should be right for him but we will find out a lot more about him.”

Carlisle stats: Gavin Sheehan’s 50% strike rate this season

Gavin Sheehan has ridden three winners from six rides at Carlisle this season (50%) and course winners Hardy Du Seuil (2.30) is the pick of his four runs. Sheehan partners Maximum offers (3.30) for his rules and stable debut for Hardy Du Seuil’s trainer Jamie Snowden as well as the Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith-trained pair Taras Hall’s (12.55) and O’Connell (1.55).

Fairyhouse: Willy has a great reputation

Lossiemouth won the Grade 3 Bar One Racing ‘Price Boosts Across All Channels’ Juvenile Hurdle (12.30 p.m) in 2022 heading for Triumph Hurdle glory later in the season and, two years later, Willy De Houelle run in the same Ricci silks with a great reputation.

The French signing is already favorite for the 2025 Triumph Hurdle and no bigger than 6-1 anywhere, so victory could see the price shortened.

Willie Mullins said: “There’s been no shortage of talk about this guy. He was second to a very smart horse in the Nietzsche Has at Auteuil in the spring and hopefully he’ll develop into a challenger for the Triumph Hurdle. That’s the hope in anyway.”

Besides Lossiemouth, other winners of this Grade 3 in the last decade include this year’s Galway hurdle winner Nurburgring, Fil Dor, Zanahiyr and subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D’Allen.

Leicester: Nickelforce go for their hat-trick

Nickelforce has made the perfect start to life over fences, attempting the hat-trick in Leicester’s inaugural 2m4f handicap chase for amateur riders (12.10).

The five-year-old made a successful chase debut at Stratford in September before following up in a similar race at Ludlow last time out.

Charlie Case, who was riding the progressive son of Workforce for his father Ben at the time, is in action at Larkhill, so Gina Andrews takes over.

Andrews was third on Nickelforce at Fakenham in June and the punishing East Street, who won on his second start for James Owen at Wetherby on Wednesday, looks the biggest threat.

Ben Case also has an excellent chance with Gazette Bourgeoisie in 2m6½f mares handicap chase (1.15).

The eight-year-old was second to Telepathique at Fakenham and the winner went on to follow up a 13lb mark in a better race at Warwick where she beat Helnwein, winner of a £100,000 handicap at her previous start, by four and a quarter lengths.

Leicester stats: Sean Bowen has a 75% success rate

Sean Bowen rode three winners from four runs in Leicester’s jumps season opener and he could improve on the 75 per cent record at the course. Bowen’s winners here on Monday were all trained by Olly Murphy who saddles them Hara Kiri (1.45), Indeevar Bleu (2.15) and Gavroche D’Allier (2.50) for his stable jockey.

Read these next:

1.35 Fairyhouse: Top favorite Romeo Coolio bids to improve Cheltenham credentials – but stablemate could be biggest danger

2.05 Fairyhouse: “I expect him to come on and improve again, and he will need to” – Gordon Elliott has Firefox ready for Heart Wood clash

2.40 Fairyhouse: Heavyweight hurdlers Teahupoo and Lossiemouth lock horns in a fascinating Hatton’s Grace Hurdle

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