Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle
Grade 1, Leopardstown 13:45 €100,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
Tweet Wednesday 27th December 2023

1 Caldwell Potter 6/1
2 Predators Gold 4/1
3 Down Memory Lane 5/2
9 ran Distances: 6½l, 38l, 5½l
Time: 4m 11.50s (slow by 26.50s)

Caldwell Potter digs in for G1 glory 💪

The full brother of Mighty Potter kicks on for the @paddypower Future Champions Novice Hurdle 🏅@LeopardstownRC | @gelliott_racing | @jackkennedy15pic.twitter.com/8iEQtDSWme

— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) December 27, 2023

Caldwell Potter secured a notable victory, overshadowing opponents with lofty reputations.

The Grade One race, previously won by renowned horses such as Sizing John (2014), Appreciate It (2020), and Mighty Potter (2021), promised another competitive renewal.

Despite the presence of unbeaten contenders like Daddy Long Legs, Predators Gold, and Down Memory Lane, it was Jack Kennedy aboard Caldwell Potter, considered Gordon Elliott's second string, who emerged victorious. Starting as a 6-1 shot after a comfortable win at Navan, Caldwell Potter took the lead from Westport Cove in the back straight.

Although Predators Gold initially kept pace, a mistake at the final flight dashed his chances, leaving Caldwell Potter to cross the finish line with a comfortable lead of six and a half lengths. Down Memory Lane finished a distant third, while Daddy Long Legs disappointingly pulled up.

Elliott said: “Jack just kept it simple and said he loved the ground. He galloped them into the ground. He’s a nice horse and loved the conditions.

“I wasn’t surprised, as he won well in Navan. We’ll enjoy today and then have a think about where we go next. I could see him stepping up in trip at some stage.”

Betfair gave the winner an 8-1 quote for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next March, while QuinnBet introduced him into their Ballymore betting at 12-1.

Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle
2m , Race Value: €100,000 guaranteed, Grade 1
9 ran
Going: Heavy

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Caldwell Potter 5 11-12 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 6/1
2 6½ Predators Gold 4 11-12 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 4/1
3 38 Down Memory Lane 5 11-12 Gordon Elliott Mr Derek O'Connor 5/2
4 5½ Fascile Mode 5 11-12 Thomas Mullins Michael O'Sullivan 14/1
5 3½ Smooth Tom 4 11-12 Andrew Slattery Keith Donoghue 28/1
PU Absurde 5 11-12 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 14/1
PU The Big Doyen 6 11-12 Peter Fahey Kevin Sexton 11/1
PU Daddy Long Legs 4 11-12 W P Mullins Paul Townend 9/4F
PU Westport Cove 5 11-12 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 40/1