Powerful Paddy
Powerful Paddy was a little unlucky not to go even closer than he did in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle at Thurles last Thursday. Willie Mullins' horse was strong in the market beforehand, he was sent off as favourite in the end, taking over at the top of the market from his stable companion Fou De Toi, who had been put in a fair bit shorter early on. Powerful Paddy went well through his race too for Brian Hayes, and he travelled well just behind the leaders when he nodded on landing over the second last flight. The three in front of him got away from him a little after that, he wasn't helped by that incident and perhaps it caused him to lose concentration, or perhaps, he just got out-paced, or perhaps it was some combination of both. About three lengths behind jumping the final flight, he stayed on well up the run-in to take second place from Vitorio Piel, getting to within less than three lengths of the winner Puma's Dream, Maxxum's half-brother.
This was Powerful Paddy's first run for Willie Mullins, his first run over hurdles and his first run since he finished sixth behind Baron Noir and El Cairos and Royal Bond Hurdle winner Koktail Brut, and in front of the now 130-rated L'Evangeliste, who is two for three over hurdles, and the highly regarded Ksar Fatal, who is one for one over hurdles, for Alan McIntyre in a good bumper at the Punchestown Festival last spring. This is the longest trip over which he has ever raced, and he saw it out well. He should be winning his maiden hurdle soon before stepping up in grade.
Thurles, 5th February 2026
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