Cooper looking forward to Arkle bid

Ireland is well represented at the latest entry stage for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Contenders include the likes of Made In Taipan, Follow The Plan and the Willie Mullins-trained trio of Golden Silver, Cooldine and Jayo.

County Kerry handler Tom Cooper is also relishing the prospect of running Forpadydeplasterer in the Arkle.

Chief cause for Cooper's optimism is the likelihood of a sound surface at Prestbury Park - which was not the case on his last two starts.

Having finished a close-up second to Golden Silver in the Irish Arkle, Forpadydeplasterer again filled the runner-up berth in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

While meritorious displays in their own right, Cooper is adamant his progressive seven-year-old will be even sharper on better ground.

"He's absolutely 100% since Leopardstown - he could not be any better," said Cooper.

"The ground was definitely too slow for him and he struggled a bit down the back straight.

"He's been running well, but he ideally needs better ground.

"We'll be going for the Arkle with him now."

Forpadydeplasterer, fourth in last year's Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Festival, is as low as 10-1 in the Arkle ante-post lists.

There are 38 possibles for the March 10th feature following the withdrawal of 14 horses.

All the major players have stood their ground, including Tatenen, Calgary Bay, Kalahari King, Planet Of Sound and Panjo Bere.

Paul Nicholls' Tatenen could be joined in the final line-up by stablemates Free World, I'msingingtheblues, Pasco and Poquelin.