Paisley Park piles up points in Long Walk to reward faith of his followers

Paisley Park was a crucial Tote Ten To Follow points scorer in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday, rewarding the faith of 6,295 stables that he would bounce back to winning form at the highest level this season.

He delivered 29 points to the believers, which included the team of Mister Whitaker 813, who has sprung 21 places in the table on to 251.24 points, right on the heels of the leader a59 on 252.74.

Paisley Park now stands ninth on the list of the season's leading scorers, with three other winners from Ascot at the weekend above him in the top ten.

Not So Sleepy repeated his achievement in winning the Betfair Exchange Trophy, but from a 15lb higher mark, to earn 31.20 Ten to Follow points and a potential tilt at the Champion Hurdle.

Mister Malarky and Harry Cobden (left) power home from the last to land the Silver Cup at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Colin Tizzard’s Mister Malarky stayed on strongly to beat The Conditional in the Silver Cup Handicap Chase to demonstrate just how important the Tote return can be as a £22.80 win dividend means the 76 stables who had included him were rewarded with 39.9 points.

Mister Malarky moves into seventh in the overall leaderboard, with fifth place going to My Drogo, who added a second success in the competition this season in the Supreme Trial and 30.60 to his total haul of 45.80 points.

Also at Ascot, Dashel Drasher showed Itchy Feet and Caribean Boy how to jump a fence as he picked up 15.5 points in the graduation chase, while Tote ambassador Richard Johnson landed a maiden hurdle on Everglow to vindicate his selection of the horse in his Ten to Follow.

The immensely talented Allart made a successful winning debut over fences in the Grade 2 Noel Novices’ Chase for 25 points and the promise he could develop into a festival contender as the season progresses.

In Ireland, Sir Gerhard staked his claim to be Gordon Elliott's next big bumper horse with an easy victory at Navan. He now heads the market for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and although he picked up only 14.2 points, there will be months of keen anticipation ahead for the 543 shrewd stables who selected him.

LEADING HORSES
1 Bristol De Mai 54.20 points
2 Politologue 53.60
3 Cloth Cap 52.70
4 Song For Someone 52.20
5 My Drogo 45.80
6 Lake View Lad 41.50
7 Mister Malarky 39.90
8 Not So Sleepy 31.20
9 Paisley Park 30.60
10 Eldorado Allen 29.90

LEADING TEAMS
1 a59 252.74 points
2 Mister Whitaker 813 251.24
3 Instant Tan No.36 245.12
4 Timmyy07 242.92
5 TimmyV10 237.94
6 MerlotMan13 237.74
7 AB31 236.64
8 A16 236.40
9 TimmV08 235.12
10 Lee Edwards 41 234.74

LEADING STABLE
Bristol De Mai 54.20 points
Politologue 52.60
Abacadabras 28.42
Honeysuckle 27.42
Epatante 27.40
Envoi Allen 26.10
Chacun Pour Soi 21.10
Clan Des Obeaux 13.40
Latest Exhibition 1.10
Kemboy 0.00

More to read:

Henderson helps out Ten To Follow entrants with two well-supported winners

Abacadabras followers off to a flying start in pursuit of £190,000 Tote pot

Bristol De Mai's brilliance jolts the hopes of expectant Ten To Follow teams

Envoi Allen proves a crowd-pleaser but Cloth Cap success not one for the masses

Tingle Creek victory puts a smile on faces of Politologue supporters

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