Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 2.15s

Paisley Park²⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 169| D

8/15

Rapid progression last season and became the best staying hurdler with fantastic victory in Grade 1 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (3m, good to soft) in March. 2-2 on seasonal reappearances and should be tough to beat.

Form: 0/11111-

The Worlds End²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 153| D

7/1

Grade 1 winner in the past. Twice a winner over fences last season but lost his way before bouncing back in fine style in Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle (3m) at Wetherby earlier this month. This is tougher but respected.

Form: 316P9-1

Unowhatimeanharry^p,t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: B J Geraghty| T: H Fry| OR: 155| CD

17/2

Grand servant for this yard with last winning coming in Grade 1 Champion Stayers' Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival (3m). Put in his place by The Worlds End last time however so will need to reverse that form.

Form: 1F80-12

Beer Goggles^t⁶⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 150| CD

16/1

Winner of this in 2017 when providing a front-running 40/1 emotional shock. Only seen once since when fifth in the 2018 Cleeve Hurdle (3m) and plagued by injury since. Best watched on mammoth comeback effort.

Form: 121315/

Thistlecrack²⁵⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 167| CD

9/2

Top-class performer who has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons. Second in last season's King George but last seen pulling up in the Gold Cup (3m2f, good to soft). Likely this is a stepping stone to King George once again.

Form: 254/32P-

Forecasts

Paisley Park (8/15), Thistlecrack (9/2), The Worlds End (7/1), Unowhatimeanharry (17/2), Beer Goggles (16/1)

The loveable PAISLEY PARK makes his eagerly-anticipated seasonal return and has the class form over his rivals. Given time to recuperate from his Cheltenham Festival success, the Champion Stayer always runs well on his debut and should be hard to beat and continue upwards towards his title defence. The Worlds End was taking at Wetherby last time but has usually been found wanting against classier rivals. Unowhatimeanharry has good record here but age may be catching up with him while Thistlecrack has been beaten in this before and is using this as a fitness booster ahead of other targets.