Paul Nicholls names horse who may very well be ‘future Gold Cup winner’ for Sir Alex Ferguson
Paul Nicholls has named the horse who could be a ‘future Gold Cup winner’ for Sir Alex Ferguson.
The legendary former Manchester United manager is one of the biggest investors in jumpers at the 14-time champion trainer’s Ditcheat stables. Together they have enjoyed numerous big race successes, notably with Clan Des Obeaux, twice winner of the King George VI Chase and successful in two Aintree Bowls at the Grand National meeting.
Nicholls also delivered Ferguson’s first Cheltenham Festival victory when Monmiral captured the Pertemps Network Final in 2024. With his mates Ged Mason, Peter Done and the Hales family, Ferguson has stakes in numerous members of the Nicholls team.
Paul Nicholls: looking forward to season(Image: PA)
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The strike force is headed by Caldwell Potter, who was bought for 740,000gns in February 2024.
The eight-year-old has started to live up to his huge price tag with three wins from five appearances for the stable, including the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham and Mildmay Novices’ Chase at Aintree in 2025 when last in action.
“I would like to think Caldwell Potter might be a future Gold Cup winner, but I mean we definitely dream about it. He’s got a lot to prove to get to that point,” said Betfair ambassador Nicholls.
“Alex has got some lovely young horses along with all his pals and Ged (Mason) and everybody, and we have got a lot of real young point-to-pointers, and who knows that one of them might be another Denman. Who knows? But we like to think so.”
Sir Alex Ferguson with jockey Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls after victory on What A Friend at Aintree racecourse in 2010
Nicholls added it was far “too early” to give his Cheltenham Festival predictions. “Everyone keeps asking me, and I always give everyone different answers. How can I? It’s hard to pick five out when you’ve got 100 nice horses in training,” he said.
“We’ll start towards the top of some of the chasers. I think Caldwell Potter. If we can keep him sound. He won his last two races. We have to take the form to the next level now, which we’ll know over the next few months. But I think he’s a very exciting horse.
“Regent’s Stroll is another nice horse. I’ve got a lot of time for him. He had a wind op in the summer, that’s mentally seemed to have helped him. Lots of potential.
Regent’s Stroll: another potential Ferguson star(Image: PA)
“Things didn’t happen early on last season because he was too keen. But I think we’ve got to the bottom of that. And he ran some good races in the spring, and hopefully could be a candidate for the Coral Gold Cup.
“Novice chasers, I always like the novice chasers. No Drama This End, Tutti Quanti, Quebecois, they’re all nice horses. I’m sure they will win their chases.
“But if you asked me just one to pick up all the nice ones, River Kwai would be a really nice horse to follow.”
Paul Nicholls was speaking at Betfair’s launch of the new horse racing jump season. Everyone’s got an opinion. Back yours at Betfair.
