Since the resumption of racing we have only had flat runners so far, but we put that right on Sunday when Paddling takes his place in the three miles handicap chase at 1.30pm, under stable jockey Alain Cawley.
Paddling hasn't run for 127 days, but can go well when fresh, this is only the second time he has raced over three miles in his career, but he should get the trip on a track he is running at for the first time, which should suit. He did win a race last season, but was very unlucky to have it taken off him in the stewards room. His mark of 92 is high enough, but this is not the strongest of races.
Good luck to the connections, Masters Of The Hall 2.
PADDLING. 17 April 2011. Walk In The Park-Sea Mamaille Owner-Masters Of The Hall 2.
Paddling has spent the whole of his racing career here at Oakwood Stables. He is by Walk In The Park, a high class sire of National Hunt horses, out of a French bred Mare. Paddling started his career by making little impact in three bumpers, spaced out over the course of a year. It was on January 1st, 2017 at Catterick, when he made his hurdles debut, finishing a very respectable distance behind future superstar Sam Spinner, in fact in three attempts over hurdles, he just simply couldn't go the pace.
In March 2017 at Catterick, he made his chase debut, in a novice handicap, off a very stiff looking mark of 96, he showed his first glimmer of form, finishing forth, beaten 12 lengths He was given a break until returning at Hexham in November, when finishing forth again, but probably not enjoying his first encounter with heavy ground. At the 10th attempt at Catterick in December, he finally got off the mark from a reduced rating of 89, which couldn't have pleased the assessor, as he immediately raised him 12lb to 101.He would race a further five times through the Spring of 2018, placing on each occasion, but definitely in the grip of the handicapper.
Once again Paddling had the Summer off, and returned again in November, for the 2018-2019 season, but in eight runs he failed to spark, but at least his mark was back down to an attractive 83 It was a refreshed horse who returned at Catterick in November 2019, finishing a gallant runner up to Dallas Cowboy, who was ridden by our stable conditional Emma Smith-Chaston, claiming a very useful 7lb, for her mother Paula Smith. Having gone back up 5lb, Paddling was back at Catterick on December 28th, to run in the Milbry Hill conditional jockeys race for the third year running. He won the race in 2017, he finished third in 2018, and this time in 2019 he was first past the post, but was judged to have edged left approaching the last, and with his winning distance only being a nose, the stewards decided to demote him to second, awarding the race to Pinch Of Ginger. He raced at the next two Catterick meetings, in January 2020, finishing second again on both occasions, and creeping 9lb back up the weights.
Paddling is probably at his best over two and a half miles, on good, or good to soft ground, with a sharper track such as Catterick, suiting best.