Paisley Park showcasing 'usual spark' as Lavelle aims stable star at Newbury

Emma Lavelle hopes conditions at Newbury will ease before her stable star and fans' favourite Paisley Park returns to action in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle on Friday.

The ground at the Berkshire track on Monday morning was good after 4mm rain on Sunday, when clerk of the course Keith Ottesen described the track as being "like a thirsty hippo". Further rain is forecast through the week.

Ottesen warned trainers should prepare themselves for good ground at the two-day Coral Gold Cup meeting after unseasonably dry weather, and Lavelle thinks it could blunt the ten-year-old's best assets.