PAISLEY Park is the star attraction at Ascot Racecourse as the ace gelding bids to win back-to-back Marsh Hurdles this Saturday (2.25pm).
The seven-year-old won the Grade One three-mile hurdle in an incredible rise last season, beginning the campaign on a mark of 140 and improving 28 pounds.
The Emma Lavelle-trained star won the Stayers Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March and a defence of the crown is the aim this season, with the Ascot feature a stepping-stone to the Spring showpiece.
Paisley Park is expected to win a second Marsh Hurdle and as short as 1-4 favourite with the bookmakers, with just five rivals to beat in Berkshire.
The Worlds End (8-1) could give the market leader most to do having finished third behind him in the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury three weeks ago - beaten seven lengths.
The other entries include L’Ami Serge, Tobefair, Papagana and Agrapart.
The support event is the Grade Three Betfair Exchange Hurdle worth over £85,000 to the winner.
French Crusader, trained in Berkshire by former champion Nicky Henderson, and Quoi De Neuf head the ante-post market at 7-1.
Other entries include Greatwood Hurdle winner Harambe, Crooks Peek and Not So Sleepy.
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