Oct 14, 2025

Race preview: Saturday 18th October 2025

David Hucker
Racing correspondent

Trainer Paul Nicholls is eyeing further success in Newton Abbot’s £30,000 Paul Ferguson’s Jumpers To Follow Intermediate Chase on Saturday with hat-trick seeking Caldwell Potter, having targeted the race in previous seasons with Bravemansgame, Pic D’Orhy, Complete Unknown and Black Corton, who had stable companion Frodon behind him when winning in 2017.

Caldwell Potter became the most expensive National Hunt horse sold at public auction when purchased by connections in Ireland for an eye-watering €740,000. He won on his first outing for the stable at Carlisle and, although beaten twice subsequently, came good with wins at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals to suggest that he can go all the way to the top as a staying chaser.

Nicholls is looking for give in the ground before launching Caldwell Potter on his seasonal campaign and he has also entered five-time hurdles winner Blueking d’Oroux, who ended last term with a win over Salver in a Grade 2 event at Sandown Park. Dan Skelton has two of the remaining four entries including Riskintheground, a winner of six chases and withdrawn from a race at Chepstow on Sunday because of the quickening ground.

The seven-race card gets underway at 2.15pm with the British Stallion Studs EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) which has attracted 19 entries, including three each for trainers Olly Murphy and Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies. Devon trainer Jane Williams has just the one entry in Hereford winner Le Soleil Reve and he could add to the stable’s winning tally.

The longest race of the afternoon is the Weatherbys & Birdie Calendars Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles and both Blackacre and Testflight, two regulars at the course over the summer, have been entered again. Safe Destination, a winner at Chepstow on Sunday, would be an interesting contender if making a quick reappearance.

With a £15,000 prize fund, the Wollens Full Spectrum Law Handicap Hurdle is the second-most valuable race of the afternoon and has last-time-out winners American Land, Bluegrass and Courageous Strike amongst the 11 entries. Courageous Strike beat just two opponents over the course in May and may find American Land, another course winner who would be seeking a four-timer, a tough nut to crack.

Trainer Keiran Burke has two entries in the Remembering Len & Pam Cartwright Handicap Hurdle, including The Height Of Fame, a winner last time, but it’s Coconut Twist, denied a clear run when finishing fourth in that race, who could be the one to be on.

There are 10 entries in the Torbay Weekly Handicap Chase including Juggernaut, runner-up to Jaitroplaclasse at the course last month, who would be 4lb better off with the winner this time.

There is little form to go on in the closing Jodie Standing’s Point-To-Point Recruits Open National Hunt Flat Race, but ex-Irish Hold The Serve looks an interesting prospect.