December 27 / 13.45 Leopardstown

13.45

Yielding To Soft

Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

  • Prize money: £52212.39
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 9 runners
RTE2
View Course
Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 163-21 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Brother to 2021 winner of this race Mighty Potter; Punchestown bumper winner last season finished second on hurdles debut at same venue last month before readily landing odds in 2m Navan maiden, strong at the finish; type to keep improving and although big step up in class here has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Caldwell Potter

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner over 2m in Ireland and sold for 740,000euros at the Caldwell dispersal sale; record of 2-4 over fences for new connections features an excellent front-running performance in the novice handicap at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago, galloping on strongly and leaving the impression he'll be as effective upped further in distance; respected with further progress plausible.

4/1

1st

1

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Caldwell Potter

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner over 2m in Ireland and sold for 740,000euros at the Caldwell dispersal sale; record of 2-4 over fences for new connections features an excellent front-running performance in the novice handicap at the Cheltenham Festival (2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago, galloping on strongly and leaving the impression he'll be as effective upped further in distance; respected with further progress plausible.

4/1

1st

3

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Caldwell Potter

11st 4lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent early, led 1st

8/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressive when landing the valuable Goffs Defender Bumper at the Punchestown festival on debut and again made an impression on last month's hurdles debut at same venue, keen and bit novicey in jumping but picking up well to assert approaching the last; Townend now prefers Daddy Long Legs but still has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

28th Apr 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 213y

16:50 Punchestown

Predators Gold

11st 10lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Smart novice hurdler in 2023-24 season before 19-month absence; returned to win a beginners' event at Navan in December, beating Slade Steel; jumping was untidy when he was beaten at odds-on by stablemate Kappa Jy Pyke here in January; challenging and going well when falling two out in the 2m4f Fairyhouse Grade 1 won by Fleur In The Park.

5/1

5

5th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 4f 0y

17:00 Fairyhouse

Predators Gold

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Smart novice hurdler in 2023-24 season before 19-month absence; returned to win a beginners' event at Navan in December, beating former Supreme Novices' winner Slade Steel, who has proved disappointing over fences; jumping was untidy when he was beaten a odds-on chance in the Punchestown race won stablemate Kappa Jy Pyke; same riding arrangements now.

7/2

9/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-1 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Walk In The Park 5yo is unbeaten in a point-to-point, Fairyhouse bumper and when reappearing last month to readily land long odds-on in an ordinary-looking Down Royal maiden hurdle, travelling strongly and jumping soundly; faces much better opposition here but looks a nice type and respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

29th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 4f 80y

17:25 Punchestown

Down Memory Lane

11st 12lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

Both chase wins have come at Navan, notably 2m5f Listed handicap in December off 144 (soft-to-heavy); Cheltenham run put a line through as badly hampered early on, but recent Grade 2 Fairyhouse effort was a lacklustre one; cheekpieces now reached for and joint top-weight has a bit to prove.

10/1

5th

5

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 3f 180y

16:20 Fairyhouse

Down Memory Lane

11st 4lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Gordon Elliott

Won his bumper here; both chase wins have come at Navan; won a 20.5f Listed handicap chase on testing ground there off 144 in December; disappointed when third-favourite for the Plate Handicap at Cheltenham; better than that and has a good chance at the weights; can't be discounted.

6/1

2

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Down Memory Lane

11st 12lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

His campaigns can be short and not always sweet but he's had some excuses since making a sparkling chase debut at Navan (2m1f, yielding) in late 2024, including when returning with some mucus in a nostril in the Galway Plate last July; right back on his game when confidently ridden to win at Navan (about 2m4f, soft to heavy) in December, despite suffering some interference, and his best days could still lie ahead.

10/1

Form: 404-16 C

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won bumper at this meeting last year on debut but never bettered that effort when raised in class; ready winner on hurdles debut in Punchestown maiden in October despite a couple of errors but disappointing in Grade 1 Royal Bond early this month, fading tamely before the last; needs to improve plenty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Fascile Mode

10st 13lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Mullins

A little in the doldrums before finishing second in a 2m6f Listed handicap hurdle at Galway in August and then ran well to be third in a chase at Sligo, though old jumping issues resurfaced late on; that part of his game will be tested around here in this big field and he might not stay the trip anyway.

20/1

1

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

16:43 Sligo

Fascile Mode

11st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Mullins

Bounced back to form with a fine effort in a listed handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival in August; jumping has been an issue at times in this sphere and with a rating of 133, has a lot to find with Jesse Evans on the figures.

15/2

2nd

8

2nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 108y

15:12 Galway

Fascile Mode

11st 5lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Thomas Mullins

Has been out of form since winning a beginners' chase at Punchestown (16.5f, gd-yld) last October, though has been highly tried at times; unproven over this far and has questions to answer right now.

25/1

Form: 11 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
90-rated Flat handicapper has taken well to hurdles, winning on soft in Listowel maiden and last month in Navan novice, finding plenty despite racing keenly; tough sort with plenty of racing experience and could outrun his likely odds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Jul 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

20:00 Cork

Smooth Tom

11st 6lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Andrew Slattery

Grand sort has won four hurdles, including two small-field contests here last year; returned with a spin over fences in May; 2m3f is the farthest he's gone, so stamina for 3m is the concern.

9/1

6th

10

25th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:05 Ballinrobe

Smooth Tom

11st 12lb

J: Cian Quirke

T: Andrew Slattery

Classy hurdler 4-11 in that sphere and rated 140; ground versatile; off since decent Flat run at the Curragh in October; returns with yard in form and his half-brother Royal Hollow has won for this stable over fences; could prove hard to beat if fit.

4/1

2nd

5

(13)

21st Oct 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Smooth Tom

12st 0lb

J: Mr A P Ryan

T: Andrew Slattery

Useful dual-purpose performer; third in the Irish Lincoln here in March; has won two small-field hurdle races at Cork since then, well below his best on the Flat at Listowel.

12/1

Form: 16 BF

Last run: 148 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ex French-trained Flat winner won Killarney novice on hurdles debut in May but was well held in Listed novice at Galway afterwards; in fine form in major Flat handicaps, notably winning Ebor at York and fared best of the European challenge when creditable seventh of 23 in Melbourne Cup; likes decent ground so would appreciate some drying.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Absurde

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

One of three for trainer; dual-purpose sort who has run creditably in the last three Melbourne Cups (rated 107 on the Flat); 2024 County Hurdle winner was well below his best in that race this season back from a break (2m1f, soft); improved display at Cork when 3.25l behind Ndaawi (16.5f, yielding); a good bit to find with Lossiemouth even if running to his rating, which he hasn't done so far this term.

40/1

2nd

3

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 70y

13:50 Cork

Absurde

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Classy dual-purpose sort who has run creditably in the last three Melbourne Cups (rated 107 on the Flat); below best after a break in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but should be sharper now and Harry Cobden has won on him before; top rated at 153 and obvious chance.

5/4

20th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Absurde

11st 13lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Won this in 2024 and third last year, albeit off much lower marks; operated a little below his very best on the Flat last year, including in Australia in the autumn, which perhaps raises a few doubts as to whether he'll be able to find the career-best hurdle performance which will be needed to defy such a lofty mark.

16/1

Form: 1 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Almanzor half-brother to 4 winners inc Listed-placed My Valentine; dam 1m/1m1f Listed winner; just denied on sole Flat start in Saint-Cloud 3yo maiden for Nicolas Clement on soft; bought for 210,000euros at Arqana July Sale and impressive start to hurdling career at Thurles last month, travelling strongly before showing a tidy turn of foot; potentially high-class novice and likely major player here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

17:20 Limerick

Daddy Long Legs

11st 1lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Course Grade 3 winner in 2024, currently rated 150 after Ballinrobe win in May; previously may have needed the run when well beaten in a Southwell race won by Constitution Hill; beaten by the unconsidered Counting Coup in a Flat maiden at Down Royal 12 days ago; stylish Ballinrobe success in first-time cheekpieces makes him the one to beat at these weights.

13/8

2nd

2

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good

1m 4f 207y

17:43 Down Royal

Daddy Long Legs

9st 9lb

J: W J Lee

T: W P Mullins

Grade 3 winner over hurdles, currently rated 150 after recent Ballinrobe win; previously may have needed the run when well beaten in a Southwell maiden won by Constitution Hill; went lame on only Irish Flat start, when favourite for a Ballinrobe maiden won by the 2025 Queen's Vase winner Carmers; Flat pedigree and went close over 1m4f at France in ; strong chance.

11/4

1st

3

25th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 72y

16:30 Ballinrobe

Daddy Long Legs

11st 2lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Grade 3 and Listed winner over hurdles and rated 152; last sighted finishing well beaten in Southwell Flat maiden won by Constitution Hill; not seen over timber since Sussex Champion Hurdle second at Plumpton in April 2025; best treated by race conditions and the one to beat; cheekpieces on.

11/10

Form: 9-1123 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Dual bumper winner is 2-9 hurdling, scoring at Tipperary and Galway over the summer; best effort yet when third in Grade 2 Cheltenham novices' last month but needs to step up another level here and others likely open to greater improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

12th Oct 2025

Good

2m 1f 140y

16:37 Cork

The Big Doyen

10st 6lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

Talented hurdler placed at Grade 2 level in that sphere; 0-4 over fences and has been sparingly raced in the last two seasons; off since below par effort on debut for this yard at Wexford in May; capable but probably best watched on return to action.

16/1

8th

1

28th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 0y

17:30 Wexford

The Big Doyen

11st 12lb

J: Kevin Sexton

T: Declan Queally

Dual bumper and hurdles winner for Peter Fahey but not as good a chaser last season; changed yards and reverts to hurdles off reduced mark and goes well fresh.

12/1

Form: 10-1 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Odds-on debut winner at Fairyhouse in January but raced too keenly when last in Grade 1 Cheltenham Festival bumper; back from summer off to land short odds in Thurles amateur riders maiden hurdle last month, despite racing keenly; this represents an altogether stiffer task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

29th Sep 2025

Yielding

2m 0f 147y

16:35 Roscommon

Westport Cove

11st 1lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Smart hurdler, though with an inferior mark to King Of Kingsfield; however, he's already a better chaser and after dominating Itsalladream at Ballinrobe he was runner-up (from the front) in a Grade 3 at Galway; standout claims.

8/11

2nd

8

31st Jul 2025

Good

2m 2f 54y

14:10 Galway

Westport Cove

11st 1lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Decent hurdler is a higher-rated chaser despite just one win from six attempts, unchallenged in beating Itsalladream at Ballinrobe in May (good) on latest; posted higher RPR's in defeat earlier under similar forcing tactics, notably fourth in valuable 2m1f Plumpton handicap; Townend's pick but possibly vulnerable at this level.

7/2

10

26th May 2025

Good

2m 1f 54y

18:00 Ballinrobe

Westport Cove

11st 12lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Useful hurdler, though won only once from eight starts; 0-5 over fences and appears flattered by an official rating of 140; made a couple of mistakes when beaten favourite (fourth) for a Plumpton handicap five weeks ago; reproduction of neck second to Aspire Tower at Wexford might be enough in this company.

11/8

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €34.60
Straight Forecast €32.38
Tricast €77.47
Trifecta €116.40

Selections

RP RATINGS (IRE):

The Big Doyen

SPOTLIGHT:

Daddy Long Legs

The Irish Sun:

Daddy Long Legs

TOPSPEED:

The Big Doyen

POSTDATA:

The Big Doyen