27th-Dec-2023

This is obviously a hot novices’ hurdle, a Grade 1 contest, but I don’t think that the top two in the market should be as far ahead of the rest as they are.

Predator’s Gold, second in of the Willie Mullins horses, was tempting, but ultimately I think that he will be better over further and, at the prices, I prefer Caldwell Potter, second in of the Gordon Elliott horses.

A bumper winner last season, he shaped really well on his hurdling bow at Punchestown in November, he kept on well to finish second behind the top-class It’s For Me, with second-season novice Ascending – who didn’t run badly yesterday – back in third and the three of them clear.

He built on that last time, he was impressive in winning his maiden hurdle at Navan.  His jumping was good that day, with the exception of a mistake at the third last flight.  But he went to the line strongly and he won well in a good time, 12 seconds faster than the four-year-olds were in the opening contest that day. 

He will have to step forward from that if he is going to prevail today, but there is every chance that he will.  A brother to Mighty Potter, Derek O’Connor retains the ride on Down Memory Lane, so Jack Kennedy rides Caldwell Potter, and that is obviously a big positive.

CALDWELL POTTER WON (ADV 13/2, SP 6/1)