"Bring on Master Minded" was the war cry today from the connections of Forpadydeplasterer as confidence begins to grow in Thomas Cooper's star ahead of next week's Queen Mother.
Charlie Chawke, head of the Goat Syndicate who own last year's Arkle hero, can't wait to take on Paul Nicholls' star after Cooper gave an upbeat report on the eight-year-old who he believes has a "huge chance" in the £320,000 event.
Chawke exclusively told puntinplay.com : "Pady is working very well and will be ready for next week. Bring on Master Minded!"
Around 23 owners donning red and white scarfs to match Pady's colours are set to descend on Prestbury Park again next Wednesday as their pride and joy bids to follow up last year's victory in the Arkle which sparked one of the greatest celebrations seen in recent year's at the trackl
The gelding gave Tom Cooper the biggest thrill of his career when holding off Kalahari King by a short-head and the Tralee trainer is pleased with his stable star’s progress following a setback that almost derailed this year’s Festival bid.
He was last seen finishing 15 lengths second to Twist Magic on unsuitably soft ground in Sandown’s Grade One Tingle Creek Chase on December 5, but schooled well in a recent racecourse workout at Leopardstown where he put in some spectacular leaps.
Cooper said today: “I am very happy with Forpadydeplasterer at the moment, he is fit, fresh and well. He had a setback but he is well over it now. We are going to Cheltenham without a run but I don’t think that should be a problem.
“I think the Tingle Creek was a great effort on that ground - he had good horses behind him.
“On Wednesday, better ground will help him, without a doubt. He is a course and distance winner and he is going back there with a huge chance.”
