Lavelle reports Paisley in 'great order' Wiltshire trainer Emma Lavelle has revealed to @pphorseracing that 2019 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle hero Paisley Park is in “great order” as he figures among the 28 entries for his fifth attempt at the feature race on the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival. After proving two and three-quarter lengths too powerful for Sam Spinner in that 2019 renewal, ‘Paisley’ put in his only disappointing effort in the championship contest the following year, although he did lose his left-fore and right-hind shoes. In 2021 the Oscar gelding, who is a 14-1 chance for this year’s running with Paddy Power, was back to close to his best form when a five length third to Flooring Porter and he then filled the same position, but closer to Flooring Porter, two and three quarter lengths adrift, last season. Lavelle said: “Touch wood he’s in great order, good, fresh and well and he’ll go to the Cleeve Hurdle first and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle is his big aim as ever. He’ll do one more piece of work on the grass next week [ahead of the Cleeve] but he’s in good form.” Paisley Park was last seen in action when scooping the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day by four and a quarter lengths from Goshen. Lavelle reflected: “It just goes to show that you should never pigeonhole Paisley and I couldn’t have been happier with him on a track that probably doesn’t play to his strengths. I was very proud that he’s still winning at that level as a 10-year-old.” When asked if she thought her stable star could get closer or even master Flooring Porter, who is 5-1 favourite with Paddy Power, as he had got closer last year than in 2021, Lavelle replied: “I certainly hope so — I do think so far this year that he has been performing better than last year and if he can keep that up, I’d like to think we’ll be finishing closer or hopefully in front of him.” Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle Paddy Power: 5 Flooring Porter, 6 Home By The Lee, 8 Klassical Dream, 10 Blazing Khal, Ashdale Bob, 12 Marie’s Rock, Teahupoo, 14 Paisley Park, Sharjah, 16 Asterion Forlonge, Buzz, Sir Gerhard, 20 Chacun Pour Soi, Gelino Bello, Monkfish, 25 Dashel Drasher, Haut En Couleurs, 33 Goshen, Saint Sam, 40 Hewick, 50 Beacon Edge, Botox Has, Indefatigable, Zanahiyr, 66 Sams Profile, Sire Du Berlais, Summerville Boy, 100 Langer Dan
