Paddy De Pole

Introducing Paddy De Pole, a smart 5-year-old gelding, in training with Paul Nicholls.

Paddy De Pole has quite a speedy look to his pedigree. He is sired by Alkaadhem, whose progeny include 2022 Grand Annual winner, Global Citizen, and Listed mares’ novices’ hurdle winner, The Organist.

His dam, Squirrel Wood, was a Flat horse by super-sire, Saddler’s Wells. She too proved to be a speedy type who found success in the latter part of her career over trips of around a mile.

Paddy De Pole was handpicked by Mick Fitzgerald, who described him as “a ball of energy”, adding that “he’s a little demon and he’s a proper little tank and he’s made of some pretty stern stuff this fella. I really like him.”

Paddy De Pole has plenty of Point-to-Point experience. He had a tough time in the early part of his career; falling twice and unseating once but has since strengthened his form significantly.

In his most recent outing, Paddy De Pole came up against stiff competition at Belharbour where he faced not one but two previous winners. Not only did Paddy De Pole win that race, he won it by a 15 length margin!

To add further strength to his form: the horse he beat into second, Desert Cave, finished runner up again in his next outing, while Aghmorough Bridge, who he beat into third, has since won twice. Click HERE to watch the race.

Paul Nicholls is looking forward to getting going with this lad, informing us that… ‘he’s a Point-to-Point winner, that can be the start of anything with any horse really’ and that ‘what we’ve done so far – he goes nicely and we can see how he develops over the next few months. I’m sure he’s going to improve and turn into a nice staying novice hurdler next season.’

Paul felt it was in Paddy De Pole’s best interests to wait until this season before getting him on course. So, had a good summer holiday and started afresh at the beginning of July. He is now back in full training and is just a week or so away from his debut under rules.