IT’S PAISLEY SPARK
‘ GREAT ORDER’ AND BACK ON TRACK AFTER HEART SCARE
PAISLEY PARK is “in great order” after recovering from the heart problem that caused his shock defeat in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
The Emma Lavelletrained eld eight- year- old suffered atrial fibrillation when trailing in seventh behind Lisnagar
Oscar in the three- mile Grade
One contest, for which ch he was the 4- 6 favourite to win for the second time in a row.
But Lavelle has reported the son of Oscar – currently the 6- 1 favourite to regain his crown next March – is on course to begin his campaign in Newbury’s Grade Two Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle on November 27.
“His heart seems to be doing w what it should be and he’s in great or order,” the Wiltshire tr trainer said y yesterday.
“We toyed with th the idea of whether we we’d send him up to Wet Wetherby instead of going to Newbury because we were going to be ready that bit earlier.
“But, in reality, we will stick with Plan A and we will head back to Newbury for the Long Distance Hurdle.
“All in all, it’s as positive as it could be.”
But Lavelle has ruled out the possibility of sending Paisley Park over fences.
“He’s a very good hurdler and I’m not sure it would play to his strengths to send him over fences,” she added.
“So many of Oscar’s that are great over hurdles – and look like they should be chasers – disappoint when you put them over fences.
“There is the odd one that has gone on and clearly been very good over fences, but the majority of them are better hurdlers.”