A trio of racing plates worn by The Dikler, Pendil & Charlie Potheen, mounted on black cloth within a custom-built glass fronted display case measurin

A trio of racing plates worn by The Dikler, Pendil & Charlie Potheen, mounted on black cloth within a custom-built glass fronted display case measuring 39.5 by 59.5 by 9.5cm., 15 1/2 by 23 1/2 by 3 3/4in., with drawer compartment for keeping the accompanying letters of authenticity, name plates and title plaque inscribed CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP 1973, 1ST THE DIKLER, (TRAINER F WALWYN, JOCKEY R BARRY), 2ND PENDIL, (F WINTER, R PITMAN), 3RD CHARLIE POTHEEN, (F WALWYN, T BIDDLECOMBE); sold together with three related authenticity documents from the Saxon House and Uplands stables of Fulke Walwyn and Fred Winter (4) In January 1973 a young schoolboy and national hunt enthusiast wrote to Fulke Walwyn and Fred Winter asking if it was possible to receive racing plates as mementos relating to whom he considered the three finest steeplechasers in training - The Dickler, Pendil and Charlie Potheen. Both trainers obliged by return. Our young turf expert's opinion was proved to be impeccable with these three horses finishing 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the 1973 Cheltenham Gold Cup and hence this unique piece of racing memorabilia relating to three grand steeplechasers of the 1970s. The plates relating to The Dikler and Charlie Potheen in this lot are supported by a letter on Saxon House headed paper dated 30th January 1972 and signed by Fulke Walwyn reading: DEAR CARL [THE CURRENT VENDOR], THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR NICE LETTER. I ENCLOSE RACING PLATES OF ''THE DICKLER'' AND ''CHARLIE POTHEEN''. THESE ARE THE PLATES THEY LAST RAN IN. ALL BEING WELL THEY WILL BOTH RUN IN THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP AND I THINK IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DECIDE WHICH HAS THE BEST CHANCE. I ENCLOSE MY AUTOGRAPH AND DARKIE DEACON'S WHO IS LUCKY ENOUGH TO DO BOTH ''THE DIKLER'' AND ''CHARLIE POTHEEN.'' BEST WISHES, YOURS SINCERELY, FULKE WALWYN. The lot also includes the separate document mentioned above double-signed by Walwyn and Deacon. To support the authenticity of the Pendil plate there is an Uplands postcard inscribed and signed by Fred Winter THIS PLATE IS OFF PENDIL, GOOD LUCK CARL, FRED WINTER