Paisley Park bids to regain his Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle on rain-softened ground at Cheltenham.
Emma Lavelle's charge aims to become the first horse since Inglis Drever in 2007 to achieve the feat.
He finished seventh behind Lisnagar Oscar when sent off the 4-6 favourite in 2020 and third to Flooring Porter last year, as the 9-4 market leader.
Lavelle’s stable star proved his critics wrong in the Cleeve Hurdle over the course and distance in January, when he recovered from a tardy start.
“He’s been exactly where we want him to be and he’s done everything right at home, so we’re just keeping our fingers crossed,” Lavelle said.
Stayers' Hurdle: Guide to the key runners and latest Betfred odds
Flooring Porter 4-1 - Dominant three-and-a-quarter length winner of this race 12 months ago and still only seven years old. Fell, for the first time in his career, at Navan on return but was going best at the time and ran right up to best behind Klassical Dream at Leopardstown over Christmas, where the winner poached a significant lead at the start. Heads to Cheltenham a fresh horse and looks primed for a bold repeat bid.
Klassical Dream 9-2 - Winner of 2019 Supreme Novices' Hurdle; looked the best staying hurdler around, despite poaching an easy early lead, in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. Nowhere near that level under a penalty in a Grade 2 at Gowran Park in January and Flooring Porter could take him on early. Also has plenty of character so watch his demeanour before the race.
Champ 9-2 - Reverted to hurdles this season after chasing career went off the rails and got his new challenge off to the perfect start when he won the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. Since performed well below that level when brushed aside by Paisley Park in the Cleeve Hurdle so hard to know what to expect now. If bringing his A-game, clearly a big player.
Thyme Hill 5-1 - Missed this through injury last year and made up for it by winning the Ryanair Stayers Hurdle at Aintree the following month. Well off pace in France earlier in season but much more like it when second to Champ in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, despite racing quite keenly early on. Went close in 2020 Albert Bartlett so has festival form. In the mix.
Royal Kahala 6-1 - 143-rated mare so even with the sex allowance needs to show career best form to hit the frame in a Stayers' Hurdle. Took the notable scalp of Klassical Dream in a Grade 2 at Gowran Park when that rival was clearly some way below his best. However with every drop of rain her chances have improved, so big place contender now.
Paisley Park 7-1 - 2019 Stayers' Hurdle hero who has been a star for trainer Emma Lavelle. No horse ten years or older has won this race since 1986 and his antics at the start of the Cleeve Hurdle are a worry (consented to race, lost many lengths). He stormed up the hill to see of Champ and demonstrated that he's still capable of high class form. Far from disgraced when third in this 12 months ago and a place contender once again. Bit of a stretch to see him winning it.
Odds for the rest of the field: 33-1 Lisnagar Oscar, Home By The Lee, Song For Someone, 66-1 Koshari
Verdict
A wide open renewal. It might be worth chancing Thyme Hill who has been the subject of some promising work reports of late and he's very smart on his day. With all the rain around, improver Royal Kahala comes into it while it would be foolish to discount Paisley Park.
1-2-3 prediction
1. Thyme Hill
2. Royal Kahala
3. Paisley Park
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