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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Melissa Jones

Top hurdler Paisley Park to miss Punchestown as coronavirus uncertainty continues

Paisley Park will not run again this season after a trip to the Punchestown Festival was ruled out.

Emma Lavelle is preparing the eight-year-old for his summer break due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.

All sporting events in Ireland have been cancelled until April 19 and the festival is due to take place nine days later.

While Paisley Park has been given a clean bill of health after his disappointing seventh when trying to retain his Stayers' Hurdle crown, Lavelle has scrapped plans for another run.

"I think the reality is with everything going on, I can't see Punchestown being an option and that's only a personal view," Lavelle said.

"So we will wind him down and get him ready for his summer holiday.

"I wouldn't want to compromise next season for something that may or may not happen."

Aidan Coleman on Paisley Park congratulates Adam Wedge after he won the 2020 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle on Lisnagar Oscar (Getty)

Paisley Park was found to have an irregular heartbeat and lost two shoes during his odds-on defeat on day three of Cheltenham.

Equine cardiologist Celia Marr carried out an examination on the son of Oscar at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket and a heart monitor was used for his training.

Aidan Coleman riding Paisley Park to win the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury on November 29, 2019 (Getty)

Much to the relief of Lavelle and her team at Bonita Racing Stables, the problem has not reoccurred.

"He did a nice piece of work with the heart monitor on last week," she said.

"Everything was spot on. He's as fit as a flea.

Coronavirus: How has sport been affected?

"We were absolutely gutted at Cheltenham, but it's pleasing the tests have come back fine and he's perfect now.

"We will look ahead to next season."

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