Cobden confident Caldwell Potter can shine in future

Harry Cobden is retaining plenty of faith in big-money purchase Caldwell Potter, insisting there are many exciting days still to come in the career of the much-heralded novice chaser.

A Grade One winner over hurdles when with Gordon Elliott, he transferred to Paul Nicholls after a familiar collection of Ditcheat owners – including former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson – paid €740,000 during the Andrew and Gemma Brown dispersal sale almost 12 months ago.

With his debut for the multiple champion trainer delayed until early this season, he made a winning reappearance at Carlisle, but his eagerly-awaited novice chasing campaign has since stalled with defeats at both Cheltenham in December and in the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor last Friday.

Nicholls launched a staunch defence of the seven-year-old in the aftermath of his reversal at the hands of Gidleigh Park on day one of the Berkshire Winter Million weekend and those sentiments have been echoed by his stable jockey.

“He ran well and I think the winner Gidleigh Park is obviously a very good horse,” said Cobden.

“He jumped, he travelled and had every chance jumping the third last, didn’t he. I winged the third last, jumped the second last alongside but the other horse has just pulled away from us.

“Those horses like Shishkin, Constitution Hill, Kauto Star, Denman and Sir Gino – they are freaks. Ours is not a freak, he’s just a really good horse and I still think we’re lucky to have a horse like that because there’s a lot of people who would like him.”

Cobden admits Caldwell Potter’s headline-grabbing sales price brings with it an extra level of attention and expectation.

He added: “The problem is probably his reputation – when you spend that much money on a horse, well that is what you have to spend these days. I’ve seen plenty of horses come out of France where people have spent 500,000, 600,000 or 700,000 on something who has won one juvenile hurdle over there.

“But I’m absolutely keeping the faith and when a horse with his sort of price-tag and reputation goes through the ring, you are doomed really if you don’t win. He won first time out and has since got beat, but I do think he will go on to win lots of races.”

Nicholls suggested the Grand Annual could prove a suitable target at the Cheltenham Festival and the champion jockey concurs with his long-time boss, believing Caldwell Potter is sure to improve as he garners further experience over the larger obstacles.

“It wouldn’t be a silly idea and novices have a good record in that race,” continued Cobden.

“He’s very straightforward and he’s already been round that course and it wouldn’t be a bad thing to get another run under his belt before he goes there, if that is where he goes.

“He’s going to win loads of races and it wouldn’t surprise me if he kept improving – he’s only just turned seven and we have to give him a bit of a chance.

“I’m never afraid to get a good horse beat and it’s no bad thing. Regent’s Stroll got beat the other day at Newbury and it’s not the end of the world, is it? As long as you have the horse and can go again, that’s all that matters.”