Ma Shantou conjures up memories of Paisley Park

Ma Shantou threw his hat into the Stayers’ Hurdle mix with a dominant display in the Pertemps Network Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Emma Lavelle’s charge will undoubtedly now be drawing comparisons to Paisley Park, a three-time winner of this Grade Two for the yard who went on to win at the Festival and perform with credit on countless other occasions.

Ben Jones, deputising for the injured Harry Cobden, had saved plenty up his sleeve for the hill as though Impose Toi briefly looked a threat, his challenge soon petered out and Ma Shantou (5-2) bounded clear to win by seven lengths.

The winner was cut to 8-1 from 50s for the Stayers’ Hurdle by both Coral and Paddy Power.

Lavelle said: “He was an easier watch than Paisley and stayers are just lovely as they are much more straightforward generally and his attitude, he just sticks his head down and just gallops.

“He was impressive, he jumped, travelled and did everything right so he clearly doesn’t want to be staying in handicaps.

“He’s answered plenty of questions emphatically and today has been the most impressive he’s been and as soon as Ben gave him a click off he went. In my wildest dreams I wasn’t expecting him to be that impressive.

“The one thing I’ve always said about him is his way of racing is befitting of a genuine stayer and he’s just gone and done that beautifully today.

“One of the things I love about this horse is he loves Cheltenham more than anywhere else and if you are going to have a horse who loves a particular course, then Cheltenham is not a bad course to pick.

“Why has he improved the way he has? I think he’s maturing, enjoying it and loves Cheltenham.

“I was unbelievably lucky to have one like Paisley Park and to think I’ve got another one that may be heading in that direction, I feel very spoilt and we’re going to enjoy this journey as well.”