Hard not to be impressed as Paisley Park stakes Stayers' claim for Britain

On Saturday morning the Stayers' Hurdle market was dominated by the Irish contingent, with Penhill, Supasundae and Faugheen to the fore, but the Cleeve Hurdle gave the home team a chance to shake up that trio – and the opportunity was snapped up in no uncertain terms by Paisley Park, who supplemented his win in the Long Walk in emphatic style, really coming alive once in line for home.

Bookmakers were impressed and he is now a clear market leader at a best-priced 7-2 to win in March, having been 12-1 beforehand. Those odds look a realistic representation of his chance at this stage and it was hard to be anything but impressed by Emma Lavelle's fast-improving stayer.

Chances are slim we saw the Gold Cup winner on trial in the Cotswold Chase, as for all that Frodon put up a really smart effort over a new trip and conceding weight all round, class and stamina will be an issue over the slightly longer trip again in a race with more pace around him.