Cheltenham Festival day three is headlined by the highly-anticipated Stayers’ Hurdle.
After a thrilling first two days including Rachael Blackmore’s historic triumph aboard Honeysuckle on day one and Put The Kettle On’s victory in the Champion Chase on Wednesday, Paisley Park bids to regain his crown in Thursday’s feature race.
Emma Lavelle’s stable star looked set to dominate the division for years to come when landing the Grade One contest in 2019, but was found to be suffering from a heart problem when disappointing in last year’s renewal.
However, the nine-year-old has bounced back to something like his best this season - filling the runner-up spot behind Thyme Hill in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, before reversing that form in an epic Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. With Thyme Hill ruled out last week, some of the biggest threats to Paisley Park hail from Ireland.
Denise Foster, who recently took over the licence from the suspended Gordon Elliott at Cullentra House, launches a three-pronged assault with Fury Road joined by dual Pertemps Final winner Sire Du Berlais and the ultra-consistent The Storyteller.
Flooring Porter had that trio in behind when springing a surprise in a Grade One at Leopardstown over the Christmas period and is also in contention for Gavin Cromwell, while Bacardys (Willie Mullins), Beacon Edge (Noel Meade) complete the raiding party.
There is plenty of other action to enjoy too including the hugely-impressive Envoi Allen in the Marsh Novices Chase and Samcro, unbeaten at Cheltenham, in the Ryanair Chase. Follow all the latest from day three here:
