Paisley Park camp braced for potential 'nightmare' Long Walk Hurdle abandonment

Emma Lavelle could not be happier with Paisley Park ahead of Saturday’s Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot (2.20), but admitted a postponement of the card could make things difficult for her stable star.

On Sunday, Ascot's clerk of the course Chris Stickels said the forecast is "pretty challenging" for the week ahead, with temperatures set to dip below freezing before their two-day meeting that begins on Friday. The ground is currently good, good to firm and frozen in places.

Paisley Park is one of seven to stand their ground for Saturday’s 3m½f contest with the ten-year-old on course to renew his rivalry with last month's Long Distance Hurdle conqueror Champ. However, Lavelle is aware of the issues they face if racing at Ascot fails to go ahead.

She said: "We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it, but it’s not looking likely when looking at the forecast.

"The thing about the Stayers’ route is that it’s tried and tested and the races are spaced out so perfectly, so it does become a bit of a nightmare if you lose one.

Paisley Park: twice of winner of Ascot's Long Walk HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"There’s every chance it could be reorganised, but if it’s not then we’d probably struggle a little bit. The Cleeve Hurdle [January 28] at Cheltenham would probably be our next race after that and if you ran much later than Saturday, you’d be impacting that race."

Although beaten a neck by Champ at Newbury last time, Paisley Park did get the better of his fellow ten-year-old, who is trained by Nicky Henderson, in this year's Cleeve Hurdle.

"It’ll be rematch number two," said Lavelle. "Watching the race and seeing where the finishing line is, you think we’ll run out of road and sadly we did.

"However, it was a great race to watch and it was two fantastic horses. In Paisley’s mind, because they were so far apart from each other, he didn’t come out of it thinking he was defeated.

"He’s extraordinary and is someone who doesn’t make things easy for himself in the way he races. Every race is tough for him and he always comes back time after time. He has a phenomenal mindset about racing and he’s just so special."

Paisley Park is 2-3 at the Berkshire track, namely when taking Saturday's £105,000 feature in 2018 and 2020, with his sole defeat coming when third to Champ in last year's Long Walk.

"Ascot is a track that works for him because it’s a bit stiffer coming up Swinley Bottom as there's a slight pull all the way," said Lavelle. "The one thing he’s about is staying and it’s a track for him.

"Although he enjoys better ground to run on, the softer ground slows everybody else down and it makes it more of a test of stamina. The greater the test of stamina, the greater it is for him."

Paisley Park: will renew rivalry with Champ (1) should Saturday's Long Walk Hurdle go aheadCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

On the potential prospect of seeing Champ defend his crown at Ascot, Henderson added: "Champ will run if it's on. He's in great form and has been fine since he won the Long Distance Hurdle on his comeback at Newbury last month. I’m very happy with him."

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is responsible for one entry with Miranda set to take her chance following an impressive 11-length victory in a Listed mares' hurdle at Kempton last month.

Goshen also remains in contention and the Gary Moore-trained six-year-old comes into this top-level contest on the back of a Grade 2 course success in the Coral Hurdle last month.

Moore could also be represented by recent Haydock handicap winner Botox Has, while Ireland's only hope comes from the Gordon Elliott-trained Queens Brook, who has finished in the top three in all 11 of career starts under rules.

Not So Sleepy, third behind Constitution Hill in the Fighting Fifth last time, completes the sextet, although he has never tackled a distance as far as the Long Walk's 3m½f.

Champ is a best-priced 13-8 to repeat last year's win with Paisley Park nearest in the betting at a general 9-4.

Howden Long Walk Hurdle (2.20 Ascot, Saturday)

Paddy Power: 13-8 Champ, 9-4 Paisley Park, 3-1 Miranda, 7 Goshen, 10 Botox Has, 12 Queens Brook, Not So Sleepy

Annsam: expected to run in the Silver Cup at AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Annsam out for more Silver Cup success

The Howden Silver Cup handicap chase (2.55) has attracted a field of 15 at the five-day confirmation stage.

Annsam is at the top of the betting and will bid to win this race for a second successive year for trainer Evan Williams.

Nicholls is represented by Threeunderthrufive, who unshipped Adrian Heskin at the first fence in last month's Coral Gold Cup, and Broken Halo. Venetia Williams could also be doubly represented in Fontaine Collonges and Fanion D'Estruval, who is topweight.

Champ's owner JP McManus has 14-year-old Ascot specialist Regal Encore entered as well as Sporting John, Dead Right and Belargus.

Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (2.55 Ascot, Saturday)

Skybet: 7-2 Annsam, 7-1 Bobhopeornohope, Sporting John, Threeunderthrufive, 8 Flegmatik, Fontaine Collonges, Larry, 10 Broken Halo, Lostintranslation, 12 Good Boy Bobby, 14 bar

Dan Skelton: holds a big chance in the Betfair Exchange TrophyCredit: Debbie Burt

Pikar well supported for Betfair Exchange Trophy

Dan Skelton is fancied to land another major Saturday prize as Pikar is a clear favourite in the Betfair Exchange Trophy (3.30), with 13 remaining on course for the 1m7½f contest. Skelton also has Friday's Cheltenham runner-up Too Friendly entered.

Gerry Feilden winner First Street features next in the betting, ahead of the Chris Gordon-trained Highway One O Two, who will be out to confirm the form of October's course-and-distance success over Hacker Des Places.

McManus could be represented again by No Ordinary Joe and Petit Tonnerre on potentially a huge afternoon for the powerful owner.

Betfair Exchange Trophy (3.30 Ascot, Saturday)

Betfair: 5-2 Pikar, 9-2 First Street, 5-1 Hacker des Places, 7 Highway One O Two, 8 Monviel, 10 Galore Desassences, 12 No Ordinary Joe, Petit Tonnerre, Tritonic, 14 bar

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