The hugely popular Paisley Park let down his legion of fans for the first time in his career when he was beaten at odds-on behind the 50-1 winner Lisnagar Oscar in last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle. He is back at Cheltenham on Thursday to attempt to set the record straight and looked back to his best in the Long Walk at Ascot in December. He faces some interesting new opponents, however, including Sire Du Berlais, winner of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final in the past two seasons.
The most intriguing contender is surely Vinndication (3.05), unbeaten over hurdles as a novice but a progressive, high-class chaser ever since. Still lightly raced over obstacles, the eight-year-old runs here because Kim Bailey ran out of time for a Gold Cup prep and it could prove to be a masterstroke.
Cheltenham 1.20 Assuming Envoi Allen has settled in to his new surroundings at Henry de Bromhead’s stable, it will be a huge shock if he is unable to extend his unbeaten record to 13 races. His reputation has preceded him earlier in the year and this is the strongest field he has faced over fences but Shan Blue, the pick of the British‑trained contingent, still has plenty to find.
Cheltenham 1.55 The qualifier for this race at Haydock in February was run in a strong time and Champagne Platinum was not unduly punished as he stayed on to finish second. Imperial Alcazar, the winner of the Warwick qualifier, and The Bosses Oscar, second in the Leopardstown heat, are obvious dangers.
Cheltenham 2.30 The most open Grade One of the meeting so far, and a case to be made for the majority of the 14 runners. Allaho and last year’s winner Min give Willie Mullins a strong hand but this trip could suit Fakir D’Oudairies, runner-up behind the top two-miler Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown last time, at around 9-1.
Hexham 12.40 Lady Villanelle 1.10 Don Herbager 1.45 Franigane 2.20 Love The Leader 2.55 One Fine Man 3.30 Arqalina 4.05 Achill Road Boy
Cheltenham 1.20 Envoi Allen 1.55 Champagne Platinum (nap) 2.30 Fakir D’Oudairies 3.05 Vinndication 3.40 The Shunter (nb) 4.15 Royal Kahala 4.50 Mount Ida
Doncaster 1.35 Gilbertina 2.10 Topofthecotswolds 2.45 Onemorefortheroad 3.20 Butler’s Brief 3.55 Bootlegger 4.30 Furius De Ciergues 5.05 Toutatis
Chelmsford City 4.40 Wiley Post 5.25 The Hulk 5.55 Show Me A Sunset 6.25 United Front 6.55 Headley George 7.25 Puffin Island 7.55 Bellissime 8.25 Iconic Belle
Cheltenham 3.40 The splendidly versatile The Shunter is chasing a £100,000 bonus if he can add this ultra-competitive handicap chase to his win over hurdles at Kelso this month. He is open to plenty of improvement too, with only three previous starts over fences behind him. Farclas, the Triumph Hurdle winner here in 2018, looks the biggest danger to a huge payday for Emmett Mullins and his team.
Cheltenham 4.15 Willie Mullins has saddled all five of the winners of this race to date but his previously iron grip looks weaker this time around. The three market leaders finished 1-2-3 in the main trial at Fairyhouse in February and the weights on Thursday narrowly favour Royal Kahala, the runner-up there, to turn the tables on Roseys Hollow.
