PAISLEY IN GOOD HEART
Lavelle’s top staying hurdler ready for return to action
PAISLEY PARK is “in great order” after recovering from the heart problem that caused his shock defeat in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last March.
The Emma Lavelle- trained eight- yearold suffered atrial fibrillation when trailing in seventh behind Lisnagar Oscar in the three- mile Grade One, for which he was the 4- 6 favourite to win for the second time in a row.
But Lavelle yesterday reported the son of Oscar, the 6- 1 favourite to regain his crown, on course to begin his campaign in Newbury’s Grade Two Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle on November 27.
“His heart seems to be doing what it should be and he’s in great order,” the Wiltshire trainer said yesterday.
“We toyed with the idea of whether we’d send him up to 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 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.”
■ IF THE CAP FITS is 16- 1 for Cheltenham Festival glory next March after making a successful start over fences yesterday.
The Grade One- winning hurdler beat Fiddlerontheroof by seven and a half lengths for the Canter Carpet High Performances Surfaces Novices’ Chase at Ffos Las, and is now 16- 1 for both the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase and the Marsh Novices’ Chase.
Silver Streak, third and sixth in the last two runnings of the Champion Hurdle, shocked 1- 2 favourite Verdana Blue in the Listed Racing TV Hurdle at Kempton Park and is 33- 1 for the 2021 renewal.