'I’d almost forgotten I’d even bred him' - Doddiethegreat a Cheltenham first for Kenny Alexander

There has been a far bigger banner name at Cheltenham for Kenny Alexander, with no doubt hopes of many more to come, but the success of Doddiethegreat in Thursday's Pertemps Network Final was a notable one nonetheless.

It was two years ago that Honeysuckle bowed out in an emotionally charged occasion by winning the Mares’ Hurdle, having ruled supreme in the Champion Hurdle on two earlier afternoons. She has already produced a filly foal by Walk In The Park and is due to Blue Bresil at Alexander’s New Hall Stud in Ayrshire.

Doddiethegreat also carries Alexander’s pale blue and white silks and is named after his fellow Scotsman, the rugby international and inspirational motor neurone disease fundraiser Doddie Weir. 

The nine-year-old, who has not had a straightforward career with Nicky Henderson and was guided home with great panache and perseverance by Brian Hughes, is a product of the long process of the senior figure in the betting industry’s foray into bloodstock.

"It’s my first homebred winner at Cheltenham and I’d almost forgotten I’d even bred him as I’ve had him so long, it’s been nine years going!" Alexander said with a laugh. "It’s been good fun, and what a ride from Brian."

Doddiethegreat, who is by Fame And Glory, is the fourth foal out of Asturienne, a Sleeping Car homebred for Wood Farm Stud and a useful performer for Alan King. She was bought for £30,000 by Peter Molony of Rathmore Stud, a key cog in Alexander’s breeding operation, in Doncaster in 2011.

Peter Molony of Rathmore Stud sourced Doddiethegreat's damCredit: Peter Mooney

A half-sister, Carrie Des Champs, won six for Gordon Elliott and was placed in a Listed bumper. 

"She was the first mare I ever bought for Kenny," said Molony. "She’d been with Alan King and had won five races, not far off being black type.

"He was gorgeous from the start and Kenny was keen to send something to Nicky; we thought he was just the perfect Nicky horse because he’s beautiful-looking, so Nicky would be happy. 

"He won his first three and then got badly hurt and was out for a long time. Kenny very kindly named him after Doddie Weir and all the prize-money goes to the Doddie Weir Foundation. So it’s a wonderful result in every way."

Molony said Asturienne had been retired as a broodmare but had plenty of stock, including "a bunch of Walk In The Parks" to come.

Earlier in the afternoon a notable update was provided by Caldwell Potter to the page of a family which is not short of astonishing achievements.

All five of the progeny of Matnie to have raced have the big black type in the catalogue denoting a Graded-race victory, and Caldwell Potter was already one of three to have reached Grade 1 status when he was a novice hurdler.

Despite plenty of placed efforts from siblings before the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, however, none of the exalted quintet had managed to muster a win at the Cheltenham Festival.

Caldwell Potter (Harry Cobden) is on the mark with a dominant win in the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

While Caldwell Potter had not been to the meeting before, it has not been the happiest hunting ground for his brilliant half-sister Brighterdaysahead, who has been felled by Golden Ace for the last two years.

The late Mighty Potter, Caldwell Potter’s Martaline full-brother, was pulled up behind Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and finished third behind Stage Star two years ago as an odds-on favourite in a former incarnation of this race. Indiana Jones, a decent Grade 3 winner, has not ventured, while French Dynamite, also successful in that class, tried again in vain in Wednesday's Cross Country Chase.

In last year's Andy and Gemma Brown dispersal sale at Tattersalls Ireland, Caldwell Potter had set a National Hunt auction record at €740,000 when knocked down to Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock and sent from Gordon Elliott to Paul Nicholls.

Until now the price tag has appeared something of a burden to the grey, but he shrugged it off with a stylish display reminiscent of One Man and in the same yellow silks as one of his syndicate of owners, the late John Hales.

"The reason John wanted to buy this horse is he had lost Hermes Allen and he was looking for a replacement, so he put his money where his mouth is," said Nicholls. "When they come through the gates you treat them all the same and he's just needed a bit of time and getting to know him."

Caldwell Potter's younger siblings have been equally in demand. The next one, Ravendark, by Doctor Dino and the last bred by Francois-Marie Cottin, nearly broke store sale records when making €350,000 at last year's Derby Sale and is now with Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud. Walter Connors has produced two even younger colts by Doctor Dino and No Risk At All.

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