Potters Charm, a seven-year-old horse trained by Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies, is set to compete in the Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on February 22nd. This decision comes after a recent victory at Windsor, and trainers are weighing this race as a primary objective before a potential run at the Aintree Hurdle in April. An entry for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival has also been noted, but Fontwell appears to be the more immediate focus.
Race Day Preparations
Potters Charm has demonstrated strong hurdling form, with trainers highlighting his “neat and tidy” jumping style. Following his win at Windsor, the horse has resumed training, completing his first piece of work back on Tuesday. The National Spirit Hurdle is a Grade Two contest, and Potters Charm is listed at 1/2 odds in the race card, indicating he is a strong favorite. Other notable contenders include Nurse Susan (7/2) and Phantomofthepoints (10/1).
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Strategic Race Planning
The team behind Potters Charm is evaluating a series of races that would define the latter part of his hurdling career.
National Spirit Hurdle: Scheduled for February 22nd at Fontwell, this Grade Two race is currently the preferred next step.
Aintree Hurdle: Following Fontwell, a potential appearance at the Aintree Hurdle in April is being considered.
Cheltenham Festival: An entry for the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham exists, but the connections may opt out of this to prioritize the Fontwell and Aintree races.
Willy Twiston-Davies indicated that the team is “thinking to go to the National Spirit and then to Aintree”, while also acknowledging that “a lot of his owners have been on holiday so we’ve not made any decisions just yet”.
Performance Analysis
Potters Charm has shown improved form this season, securing his first win outside of novice company at Windsor. Previously, he finished fourth in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, a race where he “travelled like the winner until the home straight, but just didn’t quite see the trip out”, according to one trainer assessment. This suggests that a shorter distance, such as the two-and-a-half miles of the National Spirit Hurdle, might be more advantageous.
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Future Prospects: Novice Chasing
Beyond his current hurdling campaign, Potters Charm is being eyed for a move to novice chasing next season, likely as an eight-year-old. This indicates a long-term vision for the horse’s development and career progression.
Expert Insight
While specific expert commentary on Potters Charm’s current form is limited in the provided text, the race card itself highlights his strong favoritism for the National Spirit Hurdle. Nurse Susan is identified as a “feared” competitor, expected to be “hard to beat under a penalty”.
Conclusion
Potters Charm is currently positioned as the leading contender for the Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on February 22nd. His recent victory and consistent performance at intermediate distances bolster his prospects. While the Cheltenham Festival remains an option, the immediate racing calendar appears to favor the Fontwell race followed by a potential run at Aintree, before transitioning to novice chasing next season. The final decision rests with the owners and trainers, who are yet to make a definitive commitment.
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Sources:
At The Races: https://www.attheraces.com/news/2026/February/05/potters-charm-charting-national-spirit-route - This article discusses Potters Charm's planned route, including the National Spirit Hurdle and potential novice chasing.
Sporting Life (Racecard): https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/racecards/2026-02-22/fontwell/racecard/903986/star-sports-national-spirit-hurdle-grade-2-gbb-race - This provides race details, odds, and key contenders for the Star Sports National Spirit Hurdle.
This Is Oxfordshire: https://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/sport/national/25796732.fontwell-favoured-next-potters-charm/ - This article confirms Fontwell as a likely destination and discusses the horse's recent form and future plans.
Sporting Life (Daily View): https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/timeform-daily-view-or-sunday-preview-and-tips/230515 - This article provides a general racing preview and tips but does not offer specific analysis on Potters Charm's chances.
