Pady begins National prep

Forpadydeplasterer
(Healy Racing Photos)

The 2009 Arkle Trophy scorer is on course for the Derrygrath Chase at Clonmel next Thursday and is then likely to take in a hurdles race at Leopardstown on March 3.

Forpadydeplasterer won for the first time since the Cheltenham Festival nearly four years ago at Thurles in November, but was well-beaten behind Sizing Europe in the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

"It's more than likely he'll go to Clonmel, that's the plan," said County Kerry-based Cooper.

"He's been A1 since Leopardstown. We're just trying to make our way to the National. He's got an entry in that.

"It will be interesting to see what weight he gets.

"I'm thinking of running him next week and then in a hurdles race at Leopardstown the first weekend in March before we go to Aintree."

Among the 18 entries for next week's Derrygrath Chase over two and a half miles are four from the Willie Mullins stable - Away We Go, Call The Police, Lambro and Quiscover Fontaine.