Triumph Hurdle favourite looks to justify lofty reputation for Willie Mullins and Caldwell Potter returns

Carlisle: Caldwell Potter the star attraction

Grade 1-winning hurdler Caldwell Potter makes his stable debut for Paul Nicholls on what will be his first start over fences in Carlisle’s 2m novice chase (12.55).

The six-year-old was sold for a National Hunt record of €740,000 as part of Andrew and Gemma Brown’s Caldwell Construction dispersal sale in February, having won the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown last December when trained by Gordon Elliott.

Owners Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason, John Hales and Peter Done will hope Caldwell Potter’s fares better than their other exciting youngster, Kalif Du Berlais, who fell on his chasing debut at this track before making amends at Newbury on Friday.

Caldwell Potter is only Nicholls’ second runner at the Cumbria venue since February 2021 and he said: “We're looking forward to it. Hopefully, he jumps nicely and it should be a nice starting point for him. Two miles up there should be right for him but we're going to find out a lot more about him."

Nicholls also runs Jackpot d'Athou and added: "He was a bit disappointing last time at Kempton and I wouldn't be surprised if he improved enormously for that."

Caldwell Potter12:55 Carlisle

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Jky: Harry Cobden Tnr: Paul Nicholls

Carlisle stat: Gavin Sheehan's 50% strike-rate this season

Gavin Sheehan has ridden three winners from six rides at Carlisle this season (50%) and course winner Hardy Du Seuil (2.30) is the pick of his four rides. Sheehan partners Maximum Offers (3.30) for his rules and stable debut for Hardy Du Seuil's trainer Jamie Snowden as well as the Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith-trained pair Taras Halls (12.55) and O'Connell (1.55).

Taras Halls12:55 Carlisle

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Jky: Gavin Sheehan Tnr: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

O'Connell13:55 Carlisle

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Jky: Gavin Sheehan Tnr: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Hardy Du Seuil14:30 Carlisle

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Jky: Gavin Sheehan Tnr: Jamie Snowden

Maximum Offers15:30 Carlisle

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Jky: Gavin Sheehan Tnr: Jamie Snowden

Fairyhouse: Willy's got a big reputation

Lossiemouth won the Grade 3 Bar One Racing 'Price Boosts Across All Channels' Juvenile Hurdle (12.30) in 2022 on the way to Triumph Hurdle glory later in the season and, two years on, Willy De Houelle runs in the same Ricci silks with a big reputation.

The French recruit is already favourite for the 2025 Triumph Hurdle and no bigger than 6-1 anywhere, so victory could see that price shorten.

Willie Mullins said: "There's been no shortage of talk about this chap. He was second to a very smart horse in Nietzsche Has at Auteuil in the spring and hopefully he'll develop into a Triumph Hurdle contender. That's the hope anyway."

As well as Lossiemouth, other winners of this Grade 3 in the last decade include this year's Galway Hurdle winner Nurburgring, Fil Dor, Zanahiyr and subsequent Champion Hurdle winner Espoir D'Allen.

Leicester: Nickelforce goes for his hat-trick

Nickelforce has made the perfect start to life over fences and attempts the hat-trick in Leicester’s opening 2m4f handicap chase for amateur riders (12.10).

The five-year-old made a successful chasing debut at Stratford in September before following up in a similar race to this at Ludlow last time.

Charlie Case, who rode the progressive son of Workforce for his father Ben on that occasion, is in action at Larkhill, so Gina Andrews takes over.

Andrews was third on Nickelforce at Fakenham in June and the penalised East Street, who won on his second start for James Owen at Wetherby on Wednesday, looks the main threat.

Ben Case also has an excellent chance with Gazette Bourgeoise in the 2m6½f mares’ handicap chase (1.15).

The eight-year-old was second to Telepathique at Fakenham and the winner went on to follow up off a 13lb higher mark in a better race at Warwick where she beat Helnwein, winner of a £100,000 handicap on his previous start, by four and a quarter lengths.

Leicester stat: Sean Bowen has 75% success rate

Sean Bowen rode three winners from four rides at Leicester's jumps season opener and he could enhance that 75 per cent record at the track. Bowen's winners here last Monday were all trained by Olly Murphy who saddles Hara Kiri (1.45), Indeevar Bleu (2.15) and Gavroche D'Allier (2.50) for his stable jockey.