Cheltenham Festival hero Paisley Park set for end-of-month return at Newbury

Last season’s dominant staying hurdler Paisley Park could return to action this month as trainer Emma Lavelle has pinpointed Newbury's Long Distance Hurdle as the starting point on his route back to the Cheltenham Festival.

The Stayers’ Hurdle hero was one of the feel-good stories of the festival after his incredible unbeaten season culminated in a fifth straight win for enthusiastic owner Andrew Gemmell, who was born blind.

Andrew Gemmell and Emma Lavelle celebrate Paisley Park's Stayers' Hurdle success at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

That rounded off a perfect campaign for Paisley Park, who also landed the Long Walk Hurdle and Cleeve Hurdle. Now after a well-earned summer off, Lavelle is hopeful her stable star can continue to flourish.

"He got pretty fat through the summer, so he’s definitely taken a fair bit of work," said Lavelle. "He’s doing really well and has been doing plenty. The plan is to start with a racecourse gallop this week and at the moment we’re very much on track for Newbury and the Long Distance Hurdle on November 29."

No horse has won consecutive Stayers’ Hurdles since Big Buck’s landed four on the bounce between 2009 and 2012, but Paisley Park is the 5-2 favourite to join the esteemed roll of honour that also includes Inglis Drever and Baracouda.

Paisley Park leads Sam Spinner after jumping the last in the Stayers' HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham

Lavelle added: "The Stayers' Hurdle will be the end-of-season aim for him after a similar route to last season. We’ve just been building him up fitness-wise, and with each bit of work he gets a bit stronger and a bit better."

It is a tall order for Paisley Park to improve further after such a remarkable 2018-19 campaign, but Lavelle is happy with the progress he has been showing.

She said: "I think it’s hard to say whether he’s better than he was last season, but he is definitely looking stronger again and he’s absolutely where we want him for this stage of the season."

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live - our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app