Aidan Coleman relishing Cleeve defence with Paisley Park: ‘I’ve waited long enough to find one like him!’

Coleman and Paisley Park are unbeaten in six starts together
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Malik Ouzia @MalikOuzia_24 January 2020

Jockey Aidan Coleman insists he feels no extra pressure riding Paisley Park, as he prepares to resume his unbeaten partnership with last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle hero at Cheltenham’s Trials Day.

The eight-year-old is a short-priced favourite for the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Prestbury Park on Saturday, in what is set to be his final outing before the defence of his crown at the Festival in March.

Emma Lavelle’s charge has become one of the most popular horses in training among National Hunt fans, who have revelled in the success of owner Andrew Gemmell, blind since birth, and he has been antepost favourite for this year’s renewal since the season began.

However, when asked whether the expectancy weighed heavily, Coleman told Standard Sport: “I don't think so really.

In Pictures | Cheltenham Festival 2019

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“I've a lot of faith in him, we've got a good record together. I've waited long enough in my career to have one like this, to find a horse like this, and a lot of people go their whole careers without finding one.

“I'm very lucky to have him so while I have him I'm going to enjoy him. It is great to have that pressure because it's a situation you want to be in. It's why you do this job, it's why you get up in the morning, you dream of finding a horse like him.”

Harry Fry’s If The Cap Fits looks the most likely danger this weekend, having won a Grade 1 on his only previous start over three miles, while Willie Mullins’ Benie Des Dieux announced herself as a serious Stayers’ contender for March, should she take up that engagement ahead of the mares’ race, by bolting up in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park on Thursday.

However, Paisley Park remains the standard setter, and having begun last season running in handicaps, there may yet be more to come.

Saturday's run will be Paisley Park's last before the Festival in March
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“All he did was improve last year so it would be silly to say there's not,” Coleman said. “But at the same time he's a very, very good horse and he doesn't need to do a lot more than what he did last year.

“As long as he's in one piece and he's happy and healthy he's the one they all have to go and beat on last year's form.”

The prospect of expanding the Cheltenham Festival to include a fifth day has been the subject of heated debate in recent weeks, after the racecourse chairman, Martin St Quinton, discussed the possibility on ITV on New Year’s Day.

Paisley Park’s Stayers’ triumph formed part of a so-called ‘golden hour’ on the Thursday of last year’s Festival, coming 40 minutes after Bryony Frost had become first woman to win a grade one over jumps at the meeting when landing the Ryanair Chase on Frodon.

A five-day Festival would likely see those races split up, with one set to headline the additional day, while there are significant fears over the dilution of championship races like the Stayers’, particularly if a two-and-a-half-mile Grade One hurdle were added to the card. Coleman, however, is keen on the idea.

“Just because we had it last year it doesn't mean it's going to come back or anything,” he added. “You can't go on what happened last year.

“From a jockey's point of view, you'd be delighted to have a five-day festival - well I would anyway, I can't speak for everyone - because it means there's more chance of riding winners at Cheltenham and that's what it's all about. A five-day festival to us lot I'm sure would be very appreciated.

“But there are so many other angles to come from, I can only speak for myself. There are so many different fundamentals and the logistics of it all. From a jockey's point of view I'm sure we'd all like one.”

Aidan Coleman is fifth in the 2019/20 Jump Jockeys’ Championship with 64 wins this season. For more information visit: greatbritishracing.com

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