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How Paisley Park sealed his come-back with a jaw-dropping win. What's next?

Aidan Coleman and Paisley Park still with a few in front of them (Photo: Grossick Racing Photography)Aidan Coleman and Paisley Park still with a few in front of them (Photo: Grossick Racing Photography)

 

With an astonishing late run, perfectly timed by jockey Aidan Coleman, Paisley Park came 'from almost nowhere' to win the £100,000 Grade 3 Betfair Exchange Stayers' Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on November 24.

 

Paisley Park is owned by Andrew Gemmell and trained at Ogbourne Maizey by Emma Lavelle - it was her most valuable win: "it really was a great day".

 

As the Racing Post analyst put it - in analyst's language:  "Paisley Park, 7lb higher than when winning on his first outing of this campaign almost a month previously [Racing UK Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 4 furlongs at Aintree, October 28], looked held as the field came down the final straight but he really motored from the last and picked off the two in front of him close to the line."

 

Emma Lavelle: "Paisley Park was always sitting just a little bit behind the bridle and in a way, Aidan said, that's won him the race as he still had plenty left in the tank at the finish. It was a fair performance carrying top weight and he's getting better and better."

In the winner's enclosure: (l to r) Aidan Coleman, Paisley park, Laura Scrivener & Andrew Gemmell  (Photo: Grossick Racing Photography)In the winner's enclosure: (l to r) Aidan Coleman, Paisley park, Laura Scrivener & Andrew Gemmell (Photo: Grossick Racing Photography)

 

He came out of his Haydock race 'in great form'.  Andrew Gemmell's plan has been to run him in Ascot's Long Walk (Saturday, December 22) - and that is where he has now been entered.  (It's the Grade 1 three mile JLT Hurdle - Registered as the The Long Walk Hurdle).

 

As a training and a riding achievement that was something to get very excited about.  You can see here how Aidan Coleman brought him home to win by half a length from Shades of Midnight.

 

However the backstory is simply extraordinary.

 

The owner of the six year-old gelding by Oscar out of Presenting Shares, 66 year-old Andrew Gemmell, has been blind since birth.  He was simply delighted with the victory.  He told Racing Post:  "This is my first proper winner on my own and I just can't believe it.  I got into racing as a kid, listening to it on television and have loved it ever since.  It's interesting listening to a race you're involved in - to say the least - and I was shocked he came and got there at the end."

 

He has been involved in syndicates in the past and is joint owner with Nick Mustoe of an as yet un-named filly by Robin des Champs and also has a share in Vendredi Trois - both trained by Emma Lavelle.

 

Andrew Gemmell also owns Angel Islington - a three year-old grey filly by Dark Angel in training for Flat racing with Andrew Balding.  On her sixth outing, she came in third on the all weather at Lingfield on December 5 under Jason Watson.

 

However the backstory does not just involve owner, trainer and jockey - it is also about veterinary care.  Paisley Park came a good second on his debut in a bumper at Warwick in January 2017, but arrived back at the yard very sick indeed.  At one point the vet thought his stomach condition could not be cured.  But the vets overcame the problem - albeit leading to a 336-day break from racing.

 

He came back to the yard a year ago, Emma Lavelle told Racing Post, "...looking all skin and bones.  " After racing well last season "...he's done so well physically and mentally since then, looking a big, strong horse now he's a year into his recovery."

 

Watch out for those Andrew Gemmell colours..........

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Will this Vardy score as often as his namesake?

 

Hardly a day goes by without an offspring of the great and unbeaten racehorse Frankel does not make the news.  It could be the price fetched at auction or a dramatic win or Cracksman's prospects...Frankel is still news.

 

Here is a two-year-old son of Frankel out of Dance With Another, who has not yet raced - but needs a careful eye kept on him.  He is called Fox Vardy and he is in training at Martyn Meade's Manton yard.

 

This colt is owned by the powerful King Power Racing organisation of Thai billionaire businessman who is the founder, owner and chairman of King Power Duty Free:  Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

 

He also owns Leicester City - known to fans worldwide as The Foxes.  Hence King Power Racing's string of racehorses with 'Fox' in their name.  And surely Fox Vardy carrying the name of Jamie Vardy the long term lynchpin of the Leicester squad, must end up in serious black type.

 

Fox Vardy had a Derby entry, but came out at April's first scratchings.  Martyn Meade still has two horses among the 135 Derby entries still standing:  Monoxide and Loyal Promise.

 

However, come June when Jamie Vardy will be in Russia with the England World Cup squad, Fox Vardy may be in action.  Keep an eye out...

 

There are plenty of other King Power Racing horses bearing the Fox name and in training at various yards.  Among them are Fox Happy, Well Done Fox, Fox Power and Fox Premier.

 

They certainly carry a name with some history:  Flying Fox won the English Triple Crown in 1899 - the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and the St Leger Stakes - one of only eight horses to achieve this feat.  The latest to do so was Nijinsky in 1970.  It may not be won again as the St Leger is out of favour as a race for horses on their way to stud.

 

 

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Lil Rockerfeller - a stayer and a local star

Lil Rockerfeller in full flight at NewburyLil Rockerfeller in full flight at Newbury

He's a very popular horse with the punters and he's trainer Neil King's 'great servant' - six year-old Lil Rockerfeller is a hurdler of great determination and stamina.

He is a horse that loves Ascot - he is entered there for Saturday's (December 23) JLT Reve De Sivola Long Walk Hurdle over three miles.

 

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Horse in the Spotlight: Fidelity

Fidelity with trainer Jonathan GeakeFidelity with trainer Jonathan Geake

 

Fidelity is a five-year-old gelding who last month came second in two handicap hurdle races - and is certainly a jumps horse to watch.

Trained at East Kennett by Jonathan Geake, Fidelity is owned by Marlborough resident Mrs Ann Leftley. 

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Belgian Bill

Horse in the spotlight

Belgian Bill, still with his ears backBelgian Bill, still with his ears backHere's a locally trained horse who started 2017 with three races in Dubai - chalking up two third places and a fourth place.  Now the 2017 flat season awaits him:

Belgian Bill is a nine year-old bay horse trained at Manton by George Baker: "He's been a superstar for us - taking us round the world and across the seven seas.  Just wonderful."  George Baker - and Bill - have been at the Manton yard since December 2013.

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Lets Hope So

Lets Hope SoLets Hope SoHorse in the spotlight

Here's one to watch this summer - a newcomer to the Marlborough area:  

Trainer Emma Lavelle has moved from her Hampshire stables to the Bonita Stables at Ogbourne Maizey.  Most of her horses are out to grass for their summer break.

By the time they're back, the new stable blocks will be finished and it will no longer be a case of "It looks like a building site!"

Twenty-five of the carefully reconditioned boxes are already in use.  One is occupied by the six year-old bay mare Lets Hope So who has a summer campaign ahead of her.

Lets Hope So with trainer Emma LavelleLets Hope So with trainer Emma LavelleShe is owned by the Cottage Stables Racing Club.

Whereas the famous and now retired hurdler Big Buck's sported an infuriatingly unnecessary apostrophe, Lets Hope So seems to be a sub-editor's nightmare with her dropped apostrophe.  Let's hope she puts any nightmares behind her.

She has had three outings - winning one and coming second in another. Then at Southwell on May 18 she ran in the Connolly's Red Mills Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices Hurdle - just under the two miles, with Daryl Jacob aboard and the going  'Good (good to soft in places)'.

The race comments read: "Tracked leaders, headway to dispute second - every chance when fell two out."  Or in Emma Lavelle's words, when strong for a victory "She tipped her jockey off."  Leaving the Alan King favourite Avispa to win.

But there's a summer ahead for her...keep watching.

 

 

 

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Mandy's Boy

Brodie Hampson with Mandy's Boy at LambournBrodie Hampson with Mandy's Boy at LambournMandy's Boy

Mandy's Boy is a five-year old, Irish-bred bay gelding.  He is spending the winter at Sally Randell's yard at Broad Hinton in the ownership of the 'Keeping the Dream Alive' syndicate.

In May last year he won over hurdles on good ground at Ludlow for trainer Ian Willams - just ahead of Don Padeja and Sunblazer (who was ridden by AP McCoy.)

This year he was placed in two late summer handicaps over hurdles - at Uttoxeter and Huntingdon, but had no form in two recent runs on the flat.  

James Banks takes Mandy's Boy over the hurdles at LambournJames Banks takes Mandy's Boy over the hurdles at LambournOn December 3 he returned to hurdling at Market Rasen - his debut outing from Sally Randell's yard.  But in heavy going over two miles he came home last of the eight runners.

Then at Catterick on December 15 he was ridden into fourth place by stable jockey James Banks in a fifteen furlong handicap chase.  On soft ground, he led two fences out, but soon lost his place to the eventual winner.  He was overtaken by the second placed horse on the flat and then weakened to take fourth place.  However, his connections were well pleased with his performance.

He now has a good handicap and has been jumping well both at Sally Randell's yard and on the Lambourn gallops.  Watch out for further outings in the New Year.

 

 

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Alyce and Dominico - October '15

 

Climbing up the dressage ladder: Dominico and Alyce need sponsors

Dominico is a 16.2 hands, twelve year-old gelding.  His last owner tried to train him up for eventing.  Although he got round, it became clear he did not like the jumping - so eventing was out

Twenty-two year-old Alyce King has owned Dom for just over a year and she is bringing him on in competitive dressage.  They compete twice a month in Wiltshire and they recently qualified for the West Wilts Pet Plan Area Dressage Festival on Saturday, September 26.

Much to Alyce'e delight they came in the top fifteen out of a class of forty plus.

Alyce has ridden since she was two and is qualified to stage three of the British Horse Society's horse knowledge, care and management  programme and also as a BHS instructor.

Now she wants to move Dominico up from the elementary to medium dressage level (they have already started the training work) and find another horse to produce from a lower level.

To do this she needs sponsorship - and is willing to showcase a sponsor in all the usual ways.  She has been selected to join the Leg Up for Talent scheme - a social media programme that puts up-and-coming riders in touch with possible sponsors.  But her needs are quite urgent.

The normal costs of dressage are one thing - livery fees, farriery, vets and transport to competitions and all.  But Alyce lives in Marlborough, stables Dom quite a few miles outside Marlborough and works near Hungerford - so daily visits eat up the petrol.

Alyce's email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and you can find out more at her Facebook page.

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