Aintree will suit Pady says Cooper

Tom Cooper feels two and a half miles on a flat track will be ideal for Forpadydeplasterer when he tackles tomorrow's John Smith's Melling Chase.

The Moscow Society gelding was runner-up to Big Zeb in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and aims to go one better at Aintree.

"He's A1, 100%. Two-and-a-half round here will be just right, but it's a competitive race, " said the Tralee trainer.

"He had an interrupted preparation for Cheltenham so we were delighted with his run there."

Paul Nicholls believes his charge Poquelin will be lining up in one of the best races of the season.

Several Grade One winners are in the field with the likes of Albertas Run, Monet's Garden and Kalahari King bringing top-class form to the table.

Poquelin was second to Albertas Run in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and while Nicholls is not doubting the fact he had a hard race, the champion trainer expects him to be in the mix again.

"He'll like the track and will appreciate the drying ground but it's a fantastic race, I do think it's one of the best fields I have seen all season, there are so many good horses in there," said Nicholls.

"He had a hardish race (at Cheltenham), but I suppose he hasn't had a lot of racing this season.

"We were second in the Ryanair so we have to be in with a chance, but we've got the likes of Albertas Run to beat again."

Another expected to prefer Aintree rather than Cheltenham is Tom George's Tartak.

He was last seen finishing fifth in the Grand Annual behind Pigeon Island but won at the Grand National meeting last year, beating Deep Purple in the Manifesto Chase, whom he faces again.

"He absolutely loves Aintree, for some reason, Cheltenham doesn't seem to suit him," said George.

"He's badly treated with a few of them, but he will improve enormously at that course."

Evan Williams was delighted with Deep Purple's comeback run in the Ryanair when he was fourth to Albertas Run following his setback in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

"He ran a blinder in the Ryanair but he probably didn't come down the hill," said Williams.

"The ground will be ideal for him. It's a very good race, but he's come out of Cheltenham well.

"He's run some great races this year and he's had a great season. Fingers crossed, if he can recapture his Peterborough Chase form he'd go there with a good chance."

Monet's Garden may be in the veteran stage of his career but put up one of the best performances of his career on his last start in the Ascot Chase.

He has won four times at Aintree, including this race in 2007, and trainer Nicky Richards is hoping new jockey Richard Johnson can get him into a good rhythm.

"I don't know if it was a career-best, he's had a few highs hasn't he, I think when he was second to Voy Por Ustedes in the Arkle was probably his best run, trying to give him 5lb, nobody remembers him for coming second," said Richards.

"He's in great fettle, I'm looking forward to tomorrow and I hope Richard enjoys himself and the old boy does too, he'll make them all go.

"I don't think he reacts to a new jockey either way, nobody has ever done anything wrong on him. When Paul Carberry rode him at Ascot it just didn't happen but that was nobody's fault. He's an uncomplicated ride.

"It's a very good race and all the horses seem in good form but some are having to step up from two miles and it will be interesting.

"He doesn't have to make the running. If Albertas wants to go on he can but he couldn't go with him at Ascot."