In a season where Willie Mullins’ novice hurdlers seem to dominate every big meeting, it’s easy for a few promising types to slip under the radar. One such horse is Kaid D’Authie, who shaped with plenty of promise in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) at Leopardstown on 2 February. While his fourth-place finish might not grab the headlines, a deeper dive into his profile and performance suggests he’s a horse with significant improvement to come—and possibly at the highest level.

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Untapped Potential: Learning the Ropes in High-Class Company

Kaide D’Authie faced a steep learning curve in his Grade 1 assignment, but the run was full of encouragement. He tracked the pace confidently, made a few novicey mistakes, and briefly moved into third after the second last before fading late on. Crucially, he wasn’t given a hard time once his chance had gone, suggesting there’s plenty left in the tank.

His Timeform rating of 118+ is telling—the plus symbol indicates he’s a horse likely to improve, and visually, he looked like one still figuring things out. Mullins has a knack for developing raw novices into polished performers, and Kaid D’Authie fits that mould perfectly.

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Pedigree and Physical Presence: A Future Star in the Making?

Where things get even more interesting is in the comparison to Majborough, Mullins’ Triumph Hurdle winner. Described as a strapping sort in the Majborough mould, Kaid D’Authie clearly has the physical scope to thrive, and that comparison suggests the stable holds him in high regard.

His pedigree backs this up. By Choeur du Nord out of Kadifette, a French chaser, Kaid D’Authie comes from a line that stays well and jumps with purpose. His half-sister, Kadence d’Authie, won over hurdles in France, further underlining his National Hunt credentials. With that kind of bloodline and physique, it’s no surprise there’s talk of him making an even better chaser in time—but the Majborough comparison suggests he might achieve big things over hurdles first.

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The Betting Angle: Handicaps, Festivals, and Chasing Potential

From a betting perspective, Kaid D’Authie offers multiple angles. In the short term, he could be aimed at good-class handicap hurdles, where his current mark may not reflect his true ability. But with the Triumph Hurdle comparison in mind, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him line up in another Graded novice hurdle or even at a spring festival like Cheltenham or Punchestown.

Longer term, his physicality suggests he’ll excel over fences, and an early switch to chasing could see him follow in the footsteps of other Mullins stars who blossomed with a change of discipline.

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Conclusion: A Horse with High-Class Potential

In summary, Kaid D’Authie is more than just a promising novice—he’s a horse with the potential to reach festival heights. The fact he’s being compared to a Triumph Hurdle winner like Majborough hints at how highly he’s regarded in Closutton. Whether he stays over hurdles or switches to fences, he’s one to add to the tracker and follow closely. The next time he lines up, especially if the conditions suit, there could be serious value on offer before the wider betting public catches on.

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This is exactly the type of horse I like to keep an eye on—one whose true ability is still under the surface but won’t stay hidden for long.