There is a new treat added to the January racing menu this year with the inaugural edition of the Berkshire Winter Million. Getting underway at Windsor on Friday, 17th of January, the action switches to Ascot on Saturday before returning to Windsor for the Sunday finale.
A massive 22 thrilling contests are on offer over the three days, including four events rated at Grade 2 level or above. As the “Winter Million” title suggests, the prize money on offer is well worth chasing, with over £1.25m up for grabs.
Intriguing Entries Amongst Day One Fields
With 12 of the 22 races set to be shown live on ITV – four apiece on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – the Berkshire Winter Million promises to brighten up the longest month. Those tuning in to the opening day can settle in for a quality afternoon of racing entertainment, with several eye-catching contenders in the feature events.
1:50 Fitzdares Lightning Novices’ Chase
The most expensive National Hunt horse in training tops the bill in this Grade 2 2m affair, as the Paul Nicholls-trained Caldwell Potter makes his next racecourse appearance. Looking destined for great things when storming 6½l in a Leopardstown Grade 1 on his final start over hurdles, the seven-year-old made a smooth transition to fences when scoring easily at Carlisle in December.
However, the wheels came off at Cheltenham in the SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Chase. Sent off as the 11/10f that day, the €740,000 purchase could only labour to a 13l third. Was the step up to 2m4f to blame, did the horse simply have an off day or is he not quite as good as it seemed? We may know more after this event.
Given his lofty reputation, Caldwell Potter seems sure to top the market once again. However, he will have little room for error in a field containing You Wear It Well, who claimed the 2023 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and Grade 2 winners Gidleigh Park and Personal Ambition. Just four go to post, but this looks like an enthralling contest nonetheless.
3:00 Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Hurdle
Paul Nicholls is strongly represented on the opening day and sends leading fancy Blueking d’Oroux in pursuit of this £100,000 pot. Going in the colour of Mrs Johnny de la Hey, this French recruit enjoyed a productive 2023/24 campaign. The pick of his three wins saw him defeat the subsequent Liverpool Hurdle winner, Strong Leader, in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle. Having finished a solid second in the Ascot Hurdle on his seasonal return, he failed to see out the 3m trip in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle last time. Back down to 2m4f, he will be expected to go well.
The 2023 Welsh Champion Hurdle winner Nemean Lion, the enigmatic but talented Langer Dan, and Finale Juvenile Hurdle Champ Salver provide stern opposition. However, the most intriguing contender is Nicky Henderson’s Iberico Lord, who claimed both the Greatwood Hurdle and Betfair Hurdle in 2024. Initially sent over fences this season, a calamitous round of jumping saw that plan shelved after only two outings. Back over the smaller obstacles and stepping up to this trip for the first time, he could be a major threat to all.
Other Highlights
Elsewhere on the card, Lucinda Russell’s Derryhassen Paddy puts his unbeaten record on the line in the 3m Novice Hurdle, the talented but frustrating Johnnywho drops back into handicap company in race two, and unlucky Ascot runner-up Kabral Du Mathan tops the market for the £110,000 Fitzdares Sovereign Handicap Hurdle. It should be a cracking three days of racing!