Pressure on Paisley Park to deliver - (2025)

Updated: 17/02/2025

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With the Cheltenham Festival almost upon us, Paisley Park heads the betting for the Stayers’ Hurdle and looks the one to beat.

Paisley Park has stamped his class on the Stayers’ Hurdle market with some impressive performances this season, but will he justify his billing as red-hot favourite on the big stage?

Emma Lavelle’s charge was no better than midfield last season in the Albert Bartlett as a novice but he’s returning this year as the leading British contender for three-mile hurdles glory.

The trainer felt a mixture of inexperience and keenness in first-time headgear last March undermined his hopes, but that Festival form will be giving some concern to those eager to back Paisley Park as the 13/8 favourite with Betfred.

He announced his credentials when taking the Long Walk at Ascot in December and has since warmed up with an impressive display in the Cleeve Hurdle on Cheltenham Trials Day.

There would be no more emotive win at the meeting than a victory for Paisley Park, who has caught the wider pubic attention due to owner Andrew Gemmell, blind since birth and supremely passionate about his horse.

He has some good form in the book but, like Sam Spinner 12 months ago, this is the acid test.

Favourite last year, Sam Spinner has endured a nightmare since he finished just over six lengths behind Penhill.

He was beaten again at Aintree and unseated Joe Colliver on their first two runs this season before finishing 24-lengths back of Paisley Park in the Cleeve. He is 33/1 to launch a dramatic tale of redemption now.

With Penhill missing the defence of his crown, Willie Mullins launches former Champion Hurdler Faugheen at this race for the first time.

‘The Machine’ was most impressive last spring at Punchestown when dispatching Penhill and others over three miles.

He hasn’t been spotted since a fall at Christmas but connections appear keen on his chance and he’s trading at 9/2 to complete the Champion Hurdle / Stayers’ Hurdle double.

Counting against him is the fact that he’s 11 years old and there has been just one double-digit winner of this race, 33 years ago.

Supasundae was second in the race a year ago and, though Jessica Harrington’s charge hasn’t raced over three miles since, he has maintained a high level of form and is a previous Festival winner. He’s 7/1 to score this time.

Last year’s Albert Bartlett winner Kilbricken Storm is unbeaten in two visits to this track. Both were over three miles on soft ground.

Colin Tizzard’s charge hasn’t been seen since a poor run over fences in December but he came to this meeting last year similarly fresh and it didn’t harm his cause.

The shrewd Dorset handler has been talking positively about his hopes of being the 14/1 winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Odds subject to change.



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