3 minute read

Gordon Elliott’s excellent run of form continued when Caldwell Potter stayed on strongly to take the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

A brother to the high-class ill-fated Grade 1 winner Mighty Potter, who landed this in 2021, the Gordon Elliott-trained French-bred showed his liking for testing conditions when winning a Navan maiden hurdle on his second start over obstacles.

That comfortable seven-length success inspired a step up into the Grade 1 company and the son of Martaline proved it to be a fruitful move by connections.

Caldwell Potter, a 6/1 chance, always travelled kindly in behind the pacesetters and kicked away from his nearest pursuer, Predators Gold, entering the straight. It looked like hard work for the novice hurdlers in testing conditions and any chance Predators Gold had of bridging the gap came to an end when he made a bad mistake at the final flight, with the winning margin eventually six and a half lengths under Jack Kennedy.

Willie Mullins' 9/4 market leader Daddy Long Legs never looked like getting involved and was ultimately pulled-up on the home turn.

Paddy Power introduced the winner at 8/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

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."