Plasterer could take in Moriarty

Forpadydeplasterer could take in the Dr P. J. Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown on February 8th en route to Cheltenham.

Trainer Tom Cooper reports the seven-year-old to have come out of his narrow defeat by Golden Silver in the Arkle Perpetual Cup at the Dublin track on Sunday so well that another run before the Festival is possible.

"He was bucking and squealing this morning," said the Tralee-based handler.

"Another three strides and he would have got back up again.

"He has an entry in the PJ Moriarty in a fortnight's time. We'll see how he is but the way he's come out of his race you wouldn't think he'd had one. It's a possibility.

"It will be Cheltenham after that and we'll leave our options open there. He's in the RSA as well as the Arkle."

"He's got over the hiccup he had over Christmas. He had a stone bruise and we missed a bit of time then. Now I think he'll continue to improve as the year goes on."

Forpadydeplasterer is generally 14-1 for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy and 20-1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.