Paisley back to best

PAISLEY PARK snatched an unlikely dramatic neck victory from favourite Thyme Hill in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot to confirm he is back to his best.

The Emma Lavelle-trained gelding’s cause looked forlorn as he got shuffled back and lost his place on the home turn with jockey Aidan Coleman cursing his luck. But the eight- year- old engaged his trademark extra gear to rescue what looked like a lost cause.

Lavelle said: ‘He doesn’t make it easy for us watching but he wears his heart on his sleeve and is such a battler.’

Paisley Park lost his Stayers’ Hurdle crown at Cheltenham in March and afterwards was found to be suffering from a fibrillating heart.

Nursed back gradually by Lavelle, Paisley Park had been an encouraging second to Thyme Hill in last month’s Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. Lavelle joked: ‘I think I’m more concerned about my heart now than his!’

Paisley Park is 5-2 favourite (from 5-1) for the next Stayers’ Hurdle.