Pady aimed at Punchestown

Tom Cooper has removed the Cheltenham Festival from Forpadydeplasterer's agenda - but his stable star still has a chance of making the Punchestown Festival.

Forpadydeplasterer was removed from the entries for the Ryanair, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Gold Cup on Wednesday after his journey to Kempton for the rescheduled King George VI Chase left a mark.

The Irish-trained winner of the Arkle in 2009 and runner-up in last year's Champion Chase was pulled up behind Long Run on January 15.

"He came back from Kempton a very sick horse and I think making the two trips to Kempton, first in December and then when the race was rearranged, put paid to him," said Cooper.

"I thought last week we were looking good for Cheltenham but I'd rather not take him over again so soon.

"I'll keep him over here for the rest of this season and hopefully he'll be ready to run at Punchestown."