Predators Gold
Predators Gold kept on well to finish second behind Caldwell Potter in the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle on the second day of Leopardstown's Christmas Festival. The two horses who disputed favouritism, Daddy Long Legs and Down Memory Lane, both performed below expectations, and they are both worthy of another chance on better ground, but Caldwell Potter and Predators Gold had it between them from a long way out and, while the winner showed a lot of class and tenacity, Predators Gold only gave best at the final flight, where a mistake put the final nail in his chance of winning the race.
It was still a big performance from Willie Mullins' horse in a race that was run in a good time, over 13 seconds faster than the time that One Last Tango clocked in winning the handicap hurdle run over the same course and distance 35 minutes later. The Gigginstown House horse won the Goffs Defender Bumper on his racecourse debut at Punchestown last April, and he was impressive in winning his maiden hurdle on his hurdling bow over two miles and three and a half furlongs at Punchestown in November, a race from which the runner-up Mossy Fen Park came out and won at Down Royal on St Stephen's Day. This was just the third race of his life, so he obviously has bundles of scope for progression. He should do better too when he steps back up to two and a half miles or even beyond.
Leopardstown, 27th December 2023
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