'That was the proper Paisley Park' - Lavelle in awe at Cleeve Hurdle miracle

Saturday: Cheltenham

Aidan Coleman hailed Paisley Park a "champion" after the 2019 Stayers' Hurdle hero came from last to first to land a dramatic third success in the Welsh Marches Stallions At Chapel Stud Cleeve Hurdle.

Now a ten-year-old, Paisley Park gave the opposition a sizeable head start after coming close to not consenting to set off, sacrificing as much as 15 lengths to his rivals as he momentarily planted before eventually sailing past all four of them in the closing stages to register a heartwarming victory.

Despite ITV pundit Ruby Walsh saying he would have turned back to the paddock having seen Paisley Park drop anchor, Aidan Coleman recovered the situation and went in pursuit of his rivals.

Slowly clawing back the deficit, he was just about back in contention at the top of the hill and turning for home he started to take aim at Lisnagar Oscar, Champ and McFabulous.

Members can watch the replay here

Closing in on the leaders after the second-last, he jumped to the front at the final hurdle before sprinting away from Stayers' Hurdle favourite Champ to register a brilliant, but bizarre, big-race victory.

Paisley Park clears a hurdle on his way to an unlikely victory at CheltenhamCredit: Grossick Racing

"He has that in him," said Coleman. "He's nearly done that a couple of times and eagle-eyed viewers will have seen it. Just before the tape went across I gave him a yank and a belt down the neck to say 'cop on, I know what you're thinking' and he still did it.

"This is really special. The longevity of this horse is a testament to his ability and his character. He takes all the plaudits. I literally threw the buckle at him after we went to the first and said 'if you want to get into it, you do it. I'm not doing anything, you've already annoyed me so you sort it out'.

"I said to Paddy Brennan at the top of the hill – 'I'm still in it even though I whipped around'. He's just different around this track and regardless of what's gone before or after, this is very special for a multitude of reasons, mainly because of how much of a champion he is."

Ruby Walsh: 'It's lucky Aidan Coleman was riding because I would have given up'

Coral now go 8-1 (from 33) about Paisley Park regaining the Stayers' Hurdle crown, with Champ eased to 5-1 (from 11-4) for the same race. Last year's winner Flooring Porter now heads the betting at a general 7-2.

Walsh, who won the Stayers' Hurdle five times in a glittering career in the saddle, including four times with the mighty Big Buck's, told ITV viewers that in the situation Coleman found himself at the start "you just give up and come back into the parade ring – he's running around now in a race he can't possibly win", but held his hands up after the race.

He added: "Fair play to Aidan Coleman. It's lucky Aidan Coleman was riding him and not Ruby Walsh because I would have given up but, hey, it just goes to show you should never give up."

Paisley Park (left) goes into battle with Champ after the final hurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Having delighted the crowd, Paisley Park, who is owned by Andrew Gemmell, was given a hero's welcome as he returned to the winners' enclosure and trainer Emma Lavelle likened the reception to the festival itself.

She said: "It felt like the festival with that kind of noise and the cheers. It means so much that people have taken to him the way they have, and I tried to convey that to everybody there. We're so lucky to have him.

"I just said 'thank you', their support means so much. If ever there's a horse to be willed up the hill it's probably just him. We didn't think it was going to be soft enough but it was still stamina-sapping, he got his head down and that really was the proper Paisley. We haven't seen that for a while. It was great."

All roads lead to the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and a likely rematch with Champ for the winner, although Lavelle admitted Paisley Park would not be able to give the same amount of ground away at the start come the big one in March.

"With only five runners today it gave a little bit more room for that manoeuvre," the trainer said. "You're not going to get five runners in the Stayers' and under those circumstances I'd imagine he will have him in and around horses and he'll just jump off with them.

"It's never been a problem but it's something that you've always imagined might just lurk. Aidan was ready for it but I don't think he expected it in quite the way it happened and I think he will be even more ready for it next time."

Paying a heart-felt tribute to her stable star, she added: "It's been an extraordinary journey and what he's done for us is immeasurable. He loves to test you all the way but we owe him so much."

Saturday's race reports:

Ruby Walsh: 'It's lucky Aidan Coleman was riding because I would have given up'

Peter Thomas: Phenomenal Paisley allows us Brits to forget those gaudy green banners for now (Members' Club)

Expert jury: 'It's going to take a good one to beat him in the Triumph Hurdle'

Cheltenham: Supreme an option for 'classy' new Triumph Hurdle favourite, says Gordon Elliott

Cotswold Chase: Chantry House provides JP McManus with 4,000th winner in Cotswold Chase

Sky Bet Chase: Windsor Avenue battles back for Sky Bet victory on stellar day for Brian Ellison

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