Paisley Park storms home for a fairytale Stayers' Hurdle victory

Paisley Park survived a blunder at the final flight to record a fairytale victory for owner Andrew Gemmell in the Stayers' Hurdle.

"It's been a real dream trip. I had high hopes for him but I can't believe it's happened. Hopefully it's the first festival winner of many," said Gemmell, an enthusiastic sports fan who was born blind.

"I still had hopes [during the race] because we know that is the way Paisley Park runs. We are so chuffed and we're all in tears."

He added: "Emma Lavelle and Barry Fenton [assistant trainer] have done brilliantly with this horse. I'm so chuffed for those two, and Aidan [Coleman]. They are all great people to be around and this is a brilliant moment."

An 11-8 favourite, Paisley Park powered clear under Coleman to beat 33-1 shot Sam Spinner by two and three-quarter lengths.

The seven-year-old's trainer Lavelle said: "These things so rarely happen and when they do it's so magical for everybody. If the will of the people was anything to go by, he had to win.

"He came from a long way back but Aidan knows what's under the bonnet – he was amazing and it's hard to put it into words."

Coleman added: "It was super. You are never expecting to go round on the bridle on Paisley Park, but that's what makes him such a good horse because he races behind the bridle, but it is the Stayers' Hurdle and what he does is stay, exceptionally well.

"Because he's quite a relaxed horse to ride, that allows him, when he hits the hill, to really finish. Although coming down the hill you'd like to be going that little bit better, you do know that when you meet the rising ground you're going to get there. He's a fantastic horse to be associated with - I'm just living the dream at the moment."

Veteran Faugheen bounced back from a nasty fall at Leopardstown in December to finish third, with stablemate Bapaume finishing fourth for trainer Willie Mullins.

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