Which big names have been declared for the opening day of the Berkshire Winter Million at Windsor on Friday?
Caldwell Potter will clash with 2023 Cheltenham Festival winner You Wear It Well in the Fitzdares Lightning Novices' Chase (1.50) at Windsor on Friday.
Caldwell Potter, a Grade 1-winning novice hurdler for Gordon Elliott, bids to get on track after finishing third at Cheltenham last time off the back of his successful chase and stable debut for Paul Nicholls at Carlisle.
Most of the €740,000 purchase's owners, namely Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason, John Hales and Paul Hogarth, are also involved in L'Eau Du Sud, who was not declared for the Grade 2 by Dan Skelton.
Caldwell Potter will instead take on Gidleigh Park, who suffered an irregular heartbeat when pulled up by Bryan Carver on his first start over fences at Kempton in November, and Personal Ambition, whose shuddering mistake at the final fence at Ascot last month cost him the chance of securing a second Grade 2 victory.
You Wear It Well has been beaten in two starts over fences but the former Mares' Novices' Hurdle heroine should be suited by dropping back to this two-mile trip after finishing third in a 2m4f Listed contest at Warwick last time.
While Skelton does not have a representative to take on Nicholls in the Lightning, he has plenty of ammunition on the rest of the opening day of the Berkshire Winter Million meeting to aid his cause in maintaining a lead of more than £500,000 in the trainers' title over his former boss.
Langer Dan lines up in the 2m4f hurdle (3.00), although the nine-year-old has been winless in four starts since the second of his Coral Cup victories last March. Nicholls runs Blueking D'Oroux at a left-handed track for the first time since winning the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham in October 2023.
Last season's Greatwood Hurdle and Betfair Hurdle winner Iberico Lord reverts to his favoured discipline for trainer Nicky Henderson after falling on his second chase start at Ascot.
Triumph Hurdle third Salver, who was well clear of Langer Dan when falling at the last in Relkeel Hurdle on New Year's Day, and Nemean Lion complete the five-runner field.
Knickerbockerglory beat subsequent winner Nemean Lion by eight lengths last month and bids to follow up that Sandown success for Skelton in the £110,000 Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle (3.35). Nicholls hopes that Kabral Du Mathan, beaten a short-head by Fiercely Proud in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot last time, can make amends in another valuable contest under Harry Cobden.
Givemefive and Wreckless Eric, both winners at Cheltenham this term, are other notable runners in the 14-strong field which also includes Gerry Feilden scorer Navajo Indy as well as last year's Morebattle Hurdle and Imperial Cup winners — Cracking Rhapsody and Go Dante.
Skelton runs Sandown Listed winner Honky Tonk Highway in the opening 3m novice hurdle (12.40) and Deafening Silence, who finished a placed behind Caldwell Potter at Cheltenham last month, in the 3m novice handicap chase (1.15). Gericault Roque, who chased home Corach Rambler in the 2022 Ultima, makes his first start since finishing third in that year's Coral Gold Cup for David Pipe.
Gavin Cromwell sends his first runners to Windsor with Keith Donoghue making the journey to ride both Law Ella (2.25) and Tyre Kicker (4.08).
At Market Rasen, eight have been declared for the Veterans' Chase Series Final (2.35), which was rearranged first from Sandown and then from Warwick's Classic Chase card, which were both lost during the cold snap this month.
Joe Tizzard has a strong hand in the £75,000 event with Copperhead, who was beaten only a neck at Cheltenham last time, and Eldorado Allen.
Fitzdares Lightning Novices' Chase confirmed runners and riders
- Caldwell Potter Harry Cobden
- Gidleigh Park Bryan Carver
- Personal Ambition Ben Jones
- You Wear It Well Gavin Sheehan
Read this next:
Why Constitution Hill has to be taken on in the Champion Hurdle
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
Published on inBritain
Last updated
- British jockeys set for increase in riding fees after BHA decides figure for first time
- All systems go for Gentlemansgame in Saturday's Cotswold Chase but Mouse Morris wary of hot favourite L'Homme Presse
- Charlie Appleby confident new crop of older horses can headline strong team at major summer festivals
- Man admits murder of wife and two daughters of racing commentator John Hunt
- 'It might be right for us' - Amo Racing boss Kia Joorabchian in talks to buy stud farm from fellow owner Steve Parkin
- British jockeys set for increase in riding fees after BHA decides figure for first time
- All systems go for Gentlemansgame in Saturday's Cotswold Chase but Mouse Morris wary of hot favourite L'Homme Presse
- Charlie Appleby confident new crop of older horses can headline strong team at major summer festivals
- Man admits murder of wife and two daughters of racing commentator John Hunt
- 'It might be right for us' - Amo Racing boss Kia Joorabchian in talks to buy stud farm from fellow owner Steve Parkin