Mighty Potter and Jack Kennedy jump the last to win© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott had a “perfect result” in the Paddy Power Future Champion Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown as Mighty Potter prevailed in a cracking finish from stablemate Three Stripe Life
9/4 Largy Debut took them along in the two-miler but jumped right throughout and faded tamely going to the second last in the Grade 1 contest, eventually pulling up before the final flight. Arctic Warrior led them turning for home but there were four with a shout going down to the last flight.
Mighty Potter had a narrow lead from Grangee jumping the hurdle with Three Stripe Life coming to challenge as well.
Arctic Warrior took a heavy tumble at the last but thankfully walked away as Mighty Potter fought off his stablemate Three Stripe Life on the run-in.
The Martaline gelding stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-half success. Farout got up to pip Grangee for the third spot in the €100,000 contest, two-and-three-quarter-lengths further back.
The 5/2 winner had been a staying on third in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse last month.
Elliott said afterwards:- “That was great and it's great for Jack as it's his first winner since coming back. It was a perfect result.
“I happy the whole way until the second last but he just got wiped out there, both horses did but they both showed guts and came back. They are two nice horses for the future.
“The winner is a big chaser, if you look at him, and he's not going to be a horse until next year.”
When asked about possible Cheltenham targets he responded:- “We'll get today out of the way and then we'll see what happens.”
Elliott was also pleased with the performance of runner-up Three Stripe Life, adding:- “I was very happy with him. It was only his second run over hurdles and he's a very good horse.
“He's raw but Davy was happy with him, he was a bit annoyed at himself as he got stopped at the second last. He said there is a lot of improvement in him as well.”
