Paso Doble

His record of 2 wins from 12 races works out at roughly 1 in every 6 outings, which is a modest headline number. But look at the recent form and a different picture starts to emerge: in his last six races, he has won once, finished second once, and third twice. That is a horse in decent nick, running consistently well, and finding the line. The one blot — a ninth-place finish tucked in among those placings — makes more sense when you understand the context. His trainer Paul Nicholls has explained that the ground was simply too fast for him on his chase debut up at Ayr in April, and he was pulled up tailed off. Put him on the right surface, over hurdles, and he looks a different animal.

Which brings us to Fontwell Park in October 2025. Nicholls had switched him back to hurdles after the Ayr disappointment, and by his own admission, Paso Doble surprised the yard by winning nicely. That is a telling detail — when a trainer of Nicholls' experience says a horse surprised him, it usually means there was more there than the form book suggested. Fontwell was his second career win, following an earlier success at Taunton back in December 2021, and Nicholls is clearly content to keep him over hurdles for now while looking for similar opportunities.

The yard itself is operating at a high level this season — 92 winners already — and Nicholls, based at Ditcheat in Somerset, is one of the most decorated trainers in British racing. Paso Doble typically runs at Class 3 level, one step below the very top races, and has won 1 of his 6 races at that level. He raced just yesterday and is very much a current, active participant rather than a horse winding down. At nine, he is an experienced campaigner who knows his job, and as long as the ground isn't quick underfoot, he remains a horse worth following.