PADY PRIMED FOR PUNCHESTOWN

Forpadydeplasterer is set to make his eagerly-anticipated return to action in the Star "Best For Racing Coverage" Chase at Punchestown on Thursday.

After winning the 2009 Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham, the nine-year-old filled the runner-up spot on his next seven starts, running with huge credit in races like the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Melling Chase at Aintree.

He was pulled up on his first try at three miles in last season's King George VI Chase at Kempton and has not been seen since having returned to Ireland a sick horse.

He makes his seasonal reappearance over just a furlong shorter than three miles at Punchestown, but Cooper does not expect a lack of stamina to be a problem.

"Everything is fine with him and all going well he'll run on Thursday," said Cooper.

"We'll see how he gets on over the trip, but I think he'll be fine with it.

"He's in good form and while he'll improve for the run, I think he's fit enough to do himself justice - I wouldn't be running him otherwise.

"Hopefully he'll run well."

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