Caldwell Potter secures prestigious Grade 1 accolade

Caldwell Potter Shocks Rivals with Impressive Victory at Leopardstown

In a stunning upset, Caldwell Potter emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. This Grade One contest has seen some exceptional winners in recent years, including Sizing John (2014), Appreciate It (2020), and even Caldwell Potter’s unfortunate sibling, Mighty Potter (2021).

The race promised to be another thrilling renewal, with unbeaten records on the line for contenders such as Daddy Long Legs and Predators Gold from the Willie Mullins stable, as well as Gordon Elliott’s Down Memory Lane. However, it was Elliott’s supposed second string who stole the spotlight.

Entering the race at odds of 6-1 after a comfortable victory at Navan in his previous outing, Caldwell Potter made his move on long-time leader Westport Cove along the back straight. The more fancied horses were left trailing behind as he took control of proceedings.

Predators Gold initially tried to keep up with Elliott’s grey but faltered after a mistake at the final flight dashed his hopes of victory. Meanwhile, Caldwell Potter continued to surge forward and crossed the finish line an impressive six and a half lengths ahead of his closest rival.

Down Memory Lane finished a distant third while Daddy Long Legs disappointingly pulled up during the race.

Elliott Praises Winning Tactics

Gordon Elliott expressed admiration for jockey Jack Kennedy’s riding tactics aboard Caldwell Potter. Kennedy kept things simple and capitalized on their horse’s affinity for ground conditions by setting a blistering pace that exhausted their competitors.

Elliott commented, “Jack understood what our horse needed and guided him beautifully throughout. He truly dominated from start to finish.” The trainer also acknowledged Caldwell Potter’s previous success at Navan, which further bolstered his confidence in the horse.

Looking ahead, Elliott mentioned the possibility of stepping up Caldwell Potter’s distance in future races. He said, “Given his current form and stamina, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him excel over longer distances.”

Future Prospects for Caldwell Potter

The impressive victory has caught the attention of bookmakers as well. Betfair has already given Caldwell Potter enticing odds of 8-1 for the prestigious Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next March. Coral has introduced him into their Ballymore betting with odds of 12-1.

This unexpected triumph by Caldwell Potter proves that underdogs can rise above and challenge established frontrunners in thrilling fashion. With his promising potential and newfound recognition, all eyes will be on this talented hurdler as he continues to defy expectations.