Potters Charm puts down serious marker with dominant Cheltenham display

Potters Charm made quite the impression with a runaway victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nigel Twiston-Davies’ five-year-old was second in his sole point-to-point start but has been unbeaten since under rules, taking a bumper and two hurdle events before lining up at Grade Two level.

He was sent off at 7-4 with Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle, as Dan Skelton’s Valgrand led the market as the 5-6 favourite following his facile success here when last seen.

But this time it was Potters Charm who left the field in his wake, powering to an 11-length win from the favourite in a display full of future promise for his syndicate of owners that includes former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Coral cut the winner to 16-1 from 25-1 for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival in March.

Assistant trainer Willy Twiston-Davies said: “I felt a bit of a wally last time saying he’d win like that, but that is what we expect of him, he’s just very naturally talented.

“Sam just said he jumped a lot better again today, but what you have to remember is Valgrand jumps exceptionally well so his jumping had to sharpen up from last time going a faster pace. I’m sure he’ll get better again.

“For him to do that on that ground – I can’t wait to see what he does on ground with a bit of dig in it, which is what he wants. He quickens up really well on soft ground.

“I think we’ll let the dust settle, but I was talking to Sam and we’ll either go to the Challow Hurdle (Newbury) or maybe drop back to two (miles) on soft ground for the Tolworth (Formby at Aintree), we’ll just work back from the Festival and make sure we get him there in the best shape possible.”

He went on: “We’ve won a novice, won a novice here and now a Grade Two, he’s proved he’s a Festival horse. He doesn’t seem to have had the hardest race, but maybe that is his talent speaking.

“When you put a 140-rated horse away so easily like that you can’t help but be impressed. I feel a bit vindicated as he doesn’t show the most at home, but when he comes to the track he lights up. He’s come in and he’s not blowing.

“We’re very lucky to have a horse like this for these owners. They’ve had success with Dan and Paul (Nicholls) and now they’ve sent us two horses and both are nice.

“He’s shown a lot of speed there so I imagine he’s a Ballymore (Turners) horse. The Albert Bartlett can be a bit of a graveyard.”