Andrew Gemmell at home in north London
times since – I’ve heard Richard Hoiles, John Hunt and Ian Bartlett, so three different versions, and it still sounds great now. “I was carried away by the excitement and adrenaline at first and don’t think it really hit home for a little while. I think it was kind of the next day that it really kicked in that we’d won the Stayers’ Hurdle.” H E ADDS: “I didn’t go on Gold Cup day but on ITV all the experts who were picking their highlights of the week were saying it was the ‘Golden Hour’. People still mention it now and I’m amazed that even at the various Test matches I’ve been to since, people come up and ask how Paisley Park is.” On the day itself, Gemmell remembers escaping the throngs of Paisley Park fans after racing and heading back to Witney with his friends, where the celebrations went on long into the night. “There was lots of drinking and we took the trophy into the pub and drank champagne out
of it, so it was great fun,” he says. “You’ll never be able to repeat the spontaneity of what went on that day.” Perhaps not, but with Paisley Park and Frodon again well fancied to retain their Thursday crowns, there is at least a chance that history could repeat itself on the third day of this year’s Festival. One thing’s for sure, having looked so impressive in retaining his Cleeve Hurdle crown, Paisley Park is again heading there as ‘Britain’s banker’. “He’s a special horse,” concludes Gemmell. “There’s something this season that has changed – he hasn’t hit a flat spot so far, which is a great thing, and he’s matured. I remember all the great staying hurdlers with great affection and I love that we are even being talked about in those terms. “The big thing now is to be there present, correct and in good form on the 12th of March.” If last year is anything to go by, it will be an occasion not to be missed.
earlier than is normally the case. “That was a strange one,” relives the owner. “Having been through all his other races I was used to his flat spot and we’d talked about it, so I was ready for it. “But it did come slightly early at Cheltenham and I was concerned at that point, but between the second-last and the last he came storming through, which was glorious. “Down to the last, and with the commentary saying ‘He’s taken it up’, I thought, ‘Here we go’. And then came that mistake – the people around me were going ‘Oh no!’ and I thought ‘Christ!’ but luckily he was okay.” It might not have been pretty but Paisley Park found his feet at the landing side of the last hurdle and off he galloped to complete the dream result for Gemmell, trainer Emma Lavelle and rider Aidan Coleman, not to mention the thousands of supporters who made their voices heard. “It was going mental,” he says. “I could hardly hear when they came over the last but I still knew. I’ve heard the commentary so many
28 The Festival March 2020
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