PAISLEY Park stretched his unbeaten run to seven with another professional display in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Last year's Stayers' Hurdle hero won on his seasonal return at Newbury and was due to run at Ascot last month, but testing conditions ruled him out on the day of the race.

Trainer Emma Lavelle was not concerned about the change in plan and Paisley Park travelled beautifully through the race, with Aidan Coleman keeping him in a handy position throughout.

Summerville Boy, winner of the 2018 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, tried to make all and he was still in front as they turned into the straight.

But Paisley Park made ominous progress before the last, and jumped the final flight cleanly before striding on to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

Coleman told ITV Racing: "This horse isn't slow, but we've gone slow today and it turned into a bit of a sprint, so I knew I was going to have to get stuck into him at some point.

"Usually I get to the front way too soon, but today I got to the front at the last and I thought that was perfect.

"He's just brilliant, he's gone round in second gear and he's an absolute pleasure. I'm just delighted to be associated with him.

"I've waited for a horse like this, better riders than me have never found one as good as him."

Trainer Lavelle was thrilled by her gelding's performance, and was particularly pleased he didn't hit his typical flat spot at the top of the hill that fans have become rather accustom to. 

She added: "I think he was as professional today as he has been. I think he is getting better and I think I love him. It is brilliant.

"It is not just the pressure for the yard and Andrew (Gemmell, owner), but you feel you have the pressure of everybody rooting for him and you just want to deliver. He loves it and we are loving having him.

"He is not a slow horse himself and he is a stayer that has got pace. If I'm honest, watching it I enjoyed it a bit more than some of the other races I've watched with him.

"I thought that was as good a performance as I've seen from him - how he jumped and travelled.

"It was the right decision to miss Ascot. I'm saying the ground here was easy ground as it was definitely testing.

"He carried his penalty and If The Cap Fits did too. It was a proper test today, new horses up against him and he has come through the test well."