Last year's Stayers Hurdler victor Paisley Park will head to Cheltenham for the Cleeve Hurdle in preparation to defend his title at the festival but he is set to face the Harry Fry trained If The Cap Fits which will be round one of the face off between the pairing.
We all know the credentials of Paisley Park being one of the most likeable horses heading to the Cheltenham festival again this year after his unbeaten season that was topped off by winning the Grade One Stayers Hurdle on the Thursday.
He started this season in the same form as last term by extending his unbeaten run to six races after seeing off some top horses including Thistlecrack when landing the Grade Two Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.
However, If The Cap Fits has also been in smart, similar form to Emma Lavelle's Stable star as he is now unbeaten in his last two runs landing Grade 1 Ryanair Stayers Hurdle at Aintree last March and following that up by seeing of International Hurdle winner Call Me Lord in an Ascot Grade 2 on his seasonal reappearance.
Harry Fry's eight year old has not been seen since with the handler not being 100 percent happy with the gelding but his horse is set to be ready for a big dual with everyones favourite Stayers Hurdle star.
(Credit Racing Post) Harry Fry said: "If The Cap Fits is on target for the Cleeve Hurdle at the end of the month.
"It will be his first run at Cheltenham and should give him invaluable experience in a potential clash with Paisley Park.
"They have not faced each other yet, but the clash is going to happen sooner or later. If The Cap Fits is within 3lb of Paisley Park on official ratings and it promises to be a fascinating clash."
The trainer is a man in supreme form at the moment having 10 winners from his last 25 runners which brings back a remarkable strike rate and he is very pleased with how his yard is going heading into a busy period of racing.
"I’m much happier with how things have been going lately," he said. "We took a while to get going this season and everyone has worked very hard to turn things round. Our recent results are a credit to the entire team."