Let's Talk Racing: sky the limit for Caldwell Potter?

ANDREW: It was hard not to be impressed by a pretty faultless performance at Carlisle on Sunday in what was a competitive novice handicap for the grade. Given the money that was shelled out for this horse last February almost everything he achieves will be squashed down but, putting that aside, this was very pleasing.

He seemed to have a real zest for jumping and attacked his fences with relish, which bodes well for the season ahead. He should be campaigned as a Grade One horse and I'm sure he will be. The Scilly Isles Novices' Chase looks an ideal mid-season target, and perhaps that will determine whether he is Cheltenham bound or kept for Aintree this season. 

JOSH: I agree with Andrew—Caldwell Potter was impressive. That said, if we're being picky, he did drift left a few times over his fences, so I’d expect him to be tried going that way next time out. He also really needs soft ground - ideally as testing as possible - which could rule out some of the bigger festivals, particularly Aintree.

He’s not an Arkle horse, and with the same owners having Dan Skelton’s L'Eau Du Sud for that distance, it’s likely Caldwell Potter will be aimed at something else. But one thing’s for sure — he’s a horse with Grade One potential, and I have no doubt he’ll be winning at the top level in the future. 

ANDREW: Romeo Coolio was another slight disappointment from the weekend, as I am not really sure what went wrong for him to be turned over in the Royal Bond. He travelled well and jumped slickly, but visually was beaten for a bit of speed on the way down to the last hurdle. 

I always had it in my head that he would a two-miler, as I feel he does possess plenty of pace, and perhaps that might show on slightly softer ground. The way he travelled through the Champion Bumper was that of a fast horse, so with that in mind I would be disappointed to see him not kept to two miles for now. Perhaps the Grade One novice hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas might prove the acid test required.

JOSH: I completely echo what Andrew said. Romeo Coolio jumped well, travelled nicely and did everything right, but when it was time to kick he didn’t quite show the turn of foot we were hoping for. That said, I’d keep him at two miles for now. I just think he needs a proper test over the trip, which he’ll certainly get in deeper waters. He's definitely not one to write off just yet!

ANDREW: Unfortunately, the weight of Josh and his 6'5" frame paid for Ma Jacks Hill as he did not deliver on what felt like plenty of stable confidence on Saturday, and in what looked like a winnable bumper on paper. He was quite green in the parade ring beforehand, taking everything in and having two handlers in attendance. 

I felt he did quite a lot right, but it certainly looked like greenness took over when he was asked to put the race to bed inside the final two furlongs. If he had been nailed on the line by his stablemate and race winner William Butler after the protracted duel he had with Trasna Na Pairce then that could be excused, but I would be more disappointed by the fact that he didn't stay in front of that Pat Doyle-trained runner-up. Ma Jacks Hill was weak in the finish and certainly didn't look like one to be in a rush to support for big bumper targets. I'm sure there is a good horse in there but it might take a bit more time to come out. 

JOSH: This didn’t go quite as planned. When you get the feeling a young horse has something special about him, and it all falls into place — well, it's magic. Sadly, this wasn’t one of those days. After what felt like an eternity, 3:40pm finally rolled around. In the London office, glued to the TV, waiting for fireworks at Fairyhouse — you’d need a crane to pry me from my seat. Gordo had been interviewed and was very bullish about his chances. Money came in, and I was delighted. The tapes went up — no turning back now.

Three minutes of pure silence later, I’m still thinking, “I’m happy with how he’s travelling—he’s in a good place to put this race to bed down the straight.” Then... well, not much really. As Noel Gallagher once wisely said: "Please don't put your life in the hands of an unraced Gigginstown bumper horse." He wasn’t wrong. I was gutted.

He looked green, a bit slow, and just wasn’t finding that extra gear I’d hoped for. It’s clear he’s still learning, and while I think he’ll develop into a nice horse in time, we don’t have the luxury of time when it comes to the Champion Bumper. I'm sorry, folks.

ANDREW: I see the angle you're trying to get at Billy, but I just don't see any turn of events that will lead to this happening, unless injury prevents State Man from making Cheltenham. I would say that State Man and Lossiemouth will avoid each other between now and March, with State Man staying at home at Leopardstown, while Lossiemouth might take in some British engagements. 

I would be very surprised should State Man not able to get back to winning ways in either the Matherson Hurdle or the Irish Champion Hurdle (or both). If doing so, he would be hard to displace as a key player in the Champion Hurdle, which he will be looking to defend. 

JOSH: I think Ma Jack's Hill has more chance of winning the bumper! Harsh, I know - and I do apologise, Billy - but I just can’t see it happening. 

As for State Man, he’ll line up in the Matheson and then in the Irish Champion Hurdle before Cheltenham. Willie Mullins has also been toying with the idea of sending Lossiemouth to the Christmas Hurdle, where she’ll likely come up against Sir Gino. As for Nicky Henderson, he won’t want to face Lossiemouth when Constitution Hill returns, so I suspect he’ll give him more time and will send him to face Anzadam in the Unibet Hurdle (International) at Cheltenham on Trials Day instead.

ANDREW: I've been a little bit picky about Energumene in the past so I will be very intrigued to hear Josh's views. Saying that, I am very much a big fan of the Tony Bloom-owned Champion Chase winner, and I am eagerly awaiting his comeback in the Hilly Way Chase. He was the best in the business at two miles prior to his injury and, although it is hard to know how much of that ability he retains, the stable vibes are very positive. 

I always think such noises are a big indicator for horses coming back off absences  for the Mullins yard, and it comes across like anything but victory would be a shock this weekend. I am hopeful he can come back with a bang and show off his true colours. 

JOSH: Energumene was always a horse I struggled to get a handle on, which is probably why I found myself trying to take him on more often than not. But I’ll admit, I was absolutely blown away when he won his second Queen Mother Champion Chase. I turned to Andrew in the stands, lowered my head, and acknowledged defeat before heading straight to the parade ring to applaud a truly great horse.

That summer, he picked up a hind leg injury that kept him out of last season, and while I won’t pretend to know the full details of that setback, he’s now returning this weekend after 18 months off. My concern, of course, is that he’s no spring chicken — he’ll be 11 next month. I really hope he’s absolutely fine, and the confidence coming from the team suggests he is, but it’s never easy to come back after such a long absence, especially as an older horse. Let’s hope he proves us all wrong again.

A NOLAN/CONNELL/MCKIERNAN/MCCONNELL HORSE TO BACK: It is going to be a split for this week's horse to follow, as I will have a very close eye on the Navan Beginners Chase on Saturday in which two favourites of mine should return after long absences. Good Land is a horse I have mentioned before in this column, and the Grade One-winning novice hurdler is back after a tendon injury forced him out for the whole of last season. 

He runs against Meet and Greet, who showed some excellent open company form for the McKiernan team two seasons ago, amassing a rating of 148 with placed efforts in Grade Two and Grade One company. He also has a long absence to overcome, but hopefully the two of them acquit themselves very well.

A DEBUTANT TO WATCH: I'm excited to see Kilgame, a four-year-old trained by Henry de Bromhead, who is entered on the December 7 in a maiden hurdle at Navan.