• Place of birth: Ireland
• Weight: 11-1
• Career wins: 8
• Foaled: April 21, 2009
• Colour: Bay Gelding
• Breeder: Gigginstown House Stud
• Trainer: G Elliot

Don Poli is the Irish thoroughbred currently owned by Gigginstown House Stud. Don Poli first entered into racing in the 2012-13 season. Don Poli straightaway showed a lot of promise and the capability to become one of the future Grand National horses by finishing second in his opening two races. He had lost out to Black Et White in the first race and to Festive Felon in the second. Yet, it did not take long for Don Poli to become one of the horses Grand National would like to see.

At the start of 2014, he managed to win the I.N.H. Stallion Owners E.B.F. Maiden Hurdle at Thurles by managing to beat Kerrieonvic. His first victory had come at the age of just five. He clearly had a lot of potential and it was not surprising to see Don Poli listed as one of the top Grand National horses names. The first major success, though, was set at the Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel. Don Poli once again managed to beat seven-year-old Goonyella for the title.

The guide to Grand National horses was witnessing Don Poli making incredible progress and he took part in his first Grade 1 race in April 2014. However, he just lost out to Beat That in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle. After having been third halfway through the race, Don Poli did well to recover and finish second.

The wait for a Grade 1 victory did not last long, as Topaz Novice Chase game Don Poli the crown that made him a serious contender when it comes to horses on the Grand National list. Immediately following this success, Don Poli claimed a title chase to by every horse looking to make it big – the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March 2015. He managed to finish well clear of Southfield Theatre to assert his superiority at the top events.

The Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in April 2015 was a major disappointment, as Don Poli came last among the 5 runners. Great horses quickly recover from setbacks and Don Poli brought this capacity with by jumping to win the Lexus Chase, a Grade 1 event, at Leopardstown.

His recent form does not make him one of the top runners Aintree Grand National has seen. The 2016 Betfred Bowl Chase at Aintree saw Don Poli lose out to Cue Card. JNwine.com Champion Chase and Bibby Financial Services Ireland Punchestown Gold Cup are some of the latest disappointments for this Grand National runner.