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Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase
Cheltenham 14:00
Grade 2, £125,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
2m 4f 127y, Class 1    
Thursday 13th March 2025

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1 Caldwell Potter 7/1
2 Anyway 125/1
3 O'Moore Park 66/1
4 Nurburgring 9/1
19 ran NR: Ryan's Rocket Distances: 6½l, 2l, hd
Time: 5m 14.15s (slow by 6.15s)

Caldwell Potter made history at Cheltenham, becoming the 50th Festival winner for 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls with a commanding performance here. The seven-year-old grey, racing in the famous yellow and red silks of the late John Hales, made virtually all to storm home by six and a half lengths.

Owned by Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson, and others, Caldwell Potter was bought for a then-record €740,000 in February 2024—a price tag that, after this performance, looks like money well spent.

For Sir Alex Ferguson, it was an emotional victory: "We were thinking of John Hales today—his colours, a grey horse, all the memories. Absolutely brilliant. We shared some great days together, and he taught us what it takes to win at this level. Some of the horses we’ve bought have been a bit more expensive than before, but when you see that today, price doesn’t matter—it’s all worth it."

Comparing racing to football, the legendary manager added: "In football, you get time to assess players, see their character. With a horse, it’s always a gamble. But today, none of that matters—he’s done something we’re all so proud of."

For Paul Nicholls, it was a triumph of patience and persistence. "We switched him into John’s colours—don’t think the other owners even knew we were doing that—but it felt right. It’s taken a while to get him spot on. He’s had his issues, especially with his feet, but that’s all disappeared of late."

He added: "We always had a plan to be positive. He jumps brilliantly, and I was told plenty of things about what trip he should run over, but I felt he’d stay all day. He’s better than a handicapper, but because of his price tag, he’s had to put up with a bit of stick. It doesn’t matter when they go through that front gate—they’re all worth the same, and today he showed his class."

For Harry Cobden, it was a dream ride from the front. "He’s been tricky to train, so fair play to Paul, Clifford, and the team. He was 110% today—travelled great, jumped brilliantly, I just had to get the fractions right."

Cobden’s confidence grew as the race developed: "He was so fast and efficient—watch him at the ditch at the top of the hill, he half took me on into it! He was electric in the air. It was never the plan to make the running, but no one else wanted to go forward, so I thought, ‘right, we’ll have a go.’ He was slick, quick, and clever—on springs, really."

The hefty price tag had drawn its critics, but as Cobden pointed out:
"He’s cheap now, isn’t he?"

Meanwhile, Ken Budds was left thrilled with the performance of 125-1 runner-up Anyway in his first Festival runner. "He ran a cracker. I didn’t think he should be that price—his novice chase form was good, apart from one run, and he’s always been tough. We knew he was ready, but he’s just bumped into a good one today."

And in third, O’Moore Park  ran a huge race under Sean O’Keeffe.
"He stuck at it really well and jumped nicely. I’d say a step up in trip will suit him."

For Nicholls, it was another special day at Cheltenham. "I never thought I’d get to 50 Festival winners when I started. Any winner here is fantastic, and today, to do it in John’s colours, is just unbelievable. What a day."

Free Racing Tips

Jack Richards Novices' Chase
(Grade 2 Handicap)
£125,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 2m4f127y, Class 1
19 ran
Going: Good to Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Caldwell Potter 7 11-4 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 7/1
2 6½ Anyway 7 10-11 David Kenneth Budds Darragh O'Keeffe 125/1
3 2 O'Moore Park 8 10-12 W P Mullins Sean O'Keefe 66/1
4 hd Nurburgring 76 5 10-13 Joseph O'Brien J J Slevin 9/1
5 nk Es Perfecto 10 10-6 Alan King Tom Bellamy 33/1
6 6 Firefox 7 11-8 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 4/1F
7 ¾ The Other Mozzie 6 10-10 Gavin Cromwell Conor Stone-Walsh 20/1
8 2¼ Insurrection 8 11-0 Paul Nicholls Jonathan Burke 25/1
9 1½ Asian Master 8 11-2 W P Mullins Mr T Costello 15/2
10 2½ Lord Of Thunder 7 10-6 Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell 12/1
11 1¾ Answer To Kayf 9 11-3 Terence O'Brien John Shinnick 14/1
12 nk Dee Capo 6 11-4 Gordon Elliott Danny Gilligan 50/1
13 3¼ Pic Roc 7 10-9 Ben Pauling Ben Jones 17/2
14 17 Densworth 8 10-8 Ben Pauling Callum Pritchard 50/1
15 15 San Salvador 9 10-11 Joseph O'Brien Richard Deegan 40/1
BD What's Up Darling 8 10-10 Gordon Elliott T Power-Roche 22/1
FELL Springwell Bay 8 11-12 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr 13/2
PU Shanbally Kid 8 10-6 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 66/1
PU Moon D'Orange 7 10-7 John C McConnell Sean Bowen 7/1
NR 19 Ryan's Rocket 7 10-6 Fergal O'Brien NON RUNNER

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