Plasterer on top form for Arkle

Trainer Thomas Cooper is looking forward to running Forpadydeplasterer in Sunday's Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup at Leopardstown.

The seven year old is returning after a slight setback ruled him out of any Christmas events and is reported to be fully fit and ready to go.

"All is very well with the horse and I couldn't be happier with him. We had a little setback over Christmas but we are over that now and bang on track for Sunday," said Cooper.

The horse is expected to handle the testing underfoot conditions which could prove the undoing of a few of his rivals.

"I'm sure hoping for a very good run. I'm hoping for plenty of pace in the race and with it over 2m1f on heavy going I don't think that there will be any problem for him," the trainer said.

Forpadydeplasterer was last seen out at Fairyhouse in the Grade One Drinmore Novices' Chase where he finished behind the useful Trafford Lad.

"In the Drinmore he did a lot of the donkey-work for Trafford Lad, but I think that he has improved a lot from that," the trainer said.

Cooper is hoping to run Forpadydeplasterer at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but wants to see how Sunday's race fairs before making any definite decisions.

"We'll make plans after Sunday but I am hoping to go to Cheltenham with him."