'He's the ultimate stayer' - turbo kicks in as Paisley Park snatches Long Walk

Porsche this week came on board as last-minute sponsors of the Long Walk Hurdle and there was no doubt who the turbo-charged engine belonged to in the royal racecourse's Grade 1, which was won in astonishing style by the popular Paisley Park, showing no signs of the heart problem that threatened to make him something of a one-hit wonder.

Named after the music label founded by Prince, Paisley Park and his owner Andrew Gemmell found fame in a flawless 2018-19 campaign when the son of Oscar won this race and then the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Last term, however, ended in tame fashion when an irregular heartbeat contributed to a seventh-place festival finish.

Connections – led by Paisley Park's warm trainer Emma Lavelle and her husband Barry Fenton, the gelding's regular work rider – left no stone unturned in their efforts to rebound from that episode, one jockey Aidan Coleman labelled as being on the "brink of disaster".

Relive a thriller: Long Walk Hurdle full result and race replay

Evidence the eight-year-old was back on track came in Newbury's Long Distance Hurdle last month when he finished a fine second to Thyme Hill, who went off 7-5 favourite for the Long Walk and looked like winning having fended off the strong-travelling Roksana, who was given a cute ride by Harry Skelton.

It was almost too cute for Paisley Park, soon searching for another gap after the Dan Skelton-trained mare had pinched his on the turn for home.

Paddock watchers observed Paisley Park's bodywork appeared in better nick than at Newbury and there was plenty of petrol in the tank as he stayed on strongly to dramatically deny Thyme Hill.

"It wasn't until we got towards the last that he really put the afterburners on," said Coleman, as loved up with the 9-4 winner as any of his fan club.

"It was a sense of relief and he would have been a unlucky loser.

"It's a long way up the run-in and his stamina came into play at the end, which goes to show how genuine and tough he is that he can get pushed out into an unpromising position and still win. That's what good horses do though."

Harry Skelton (left) congratulates Aidan Coleman after Paisley Park's dramatic Ascot winCredit: Edward Whitaker

The staying hurdling division is not necessarily the poor relation of jump racing, but it can lack the glamour of the other major categories.

That said, it throws up a horse the public adore; think Baracouda, Inglis Drever, Big Buck's, and now Paisley Park.

"He's the ultimate stayer and has the traits of all the greats before him," added Coleman, whose mount heads the sponsor's betting at 100-30 for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

"I suppose the only difference with him is that he hasn't been around as long, so his name isn't as synonymous in the division as them. He's won his third Grade 1 today and if he can win a few more he might be in the same category as them. It's great to be associated with him."

Lavelle describes herself as part of the Paisley Park management team and relishes what goes with training a horse such as him.

For her, it is far from a pressure.

"We are so privileged to have him," she beamed. "So many people go through their lives but don't get that horse that everyone takes to their heart. We get such lovely messages about him and a constant supply of Polos, which are his favourites, through the post. It's very special.

"You could see he was gaining and gaining and you never give up on Paisley – he's an extraordinary horse and we're lucky to have him."

Cheltenham's Cleeve Hurdle next month will tee up Paisley Park's festival bid when Thyme Hill's camp will be well up for the rematch.

Unique Paisley double

Paisley Park's thrilling victory in the Long Walk brought up a double for horses of that name on Saturday.

Thirty minutes before Emma Lavelle's eight-year-old stormed home at Ascot, Paisley Park, a Sean Tarry-trained three-year-old gelding by Gimmethegreenlight, ran out a half-length winner of the 6f Listed Secretariat Stakes at Turffontein under jockey Lyle Hewitson to remain unbeaten in his two-race career.

Lavelle added: "I wouldn't mind if it was a one-horse division!

"But the build-up to this was fantastic and I think that's important – he wasn't even favourite today, which shows the strength of the division and that people were wary that he'd come back."

He was back, and with an engine that was purring.

What you made of Paisley Park's remarkable win on social media

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