Paisley Park to have further tests for irregular heartbeat after Stayers' defeat

Paisley Park, who lost his Stayers’ Hurdle crown at Cheltenham on Thursday, will undergo further tests after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat after the race.

Sent off 4-6 favourite for the Paddy Power-sponsored Grade 1 on the back of seven straight wins, Paisley Park could finish only seventh behind shock 50-1 scorer Lisnagar Oscar.

Trainer Emma Lavelle said: “He’s fine. His heart has reverted to normal of its own accord. It’s always a positive when that happens.

“However, he is going to Newmarket for a heart scan. We need to do the tests to see exactly where we are. Paisley Park was definitely not happy after the race, but is fine now. He lives to fight another day.”

The eight-year-old beat Sam Spinner by two and three-quarter lengths in the Stayers’ Hurdle 12 months ago.

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