FESTIVAL PREVIEW:THE TRIUMPH of Forpadydeplasterer in the Arkle brought a major dash of colour to the Cheltenham Festival but Deutschland could foil similar scenes after today's Grade One highlight at Punchestown.
A total of just seven horses line up for the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase, a race that in the past has been won by stars of the calibre of Moscow Flyer (2002), War Of Attrition (2005) and Big Zeb last year.
If there is something in today’s race to rise to those sort of levels then the popular view will be that it will be Forpadydeplasterer.
The Tom Cooper-trained horse is after all a Grade One winner over hurdles and brought a frustrating run of “seconditis” to a close by getting it right on the right day at Cheltenham last month.
Forpadydeplasterer was a revelation on the better going at Cheltenham, racing prominently throughout for Barry Geraghty and fighting off Kalahari King in a thrilling finish, form that looks even better after the latter’s subsequent victory in Liverpool.
“We are coming from Cheltenham with a fresh horse,” said Cooper yesterday. “Going there was the main aim all year but then the plan was here. It was nice to see Kalahari King frank the form at Aintree.”
Time may indeed prove Forpadydeplasterer to be a cut above today’s opposition but he is likely to be short odds and it is hard to forget the impact good ground had on his performance at Cheltenham.
Conditions will be softer now and there may be value in opposing him.
Tatenen started favourite for the Arkle only to exit at the third but did better at Liverpool when chasing home Kalahari King.
“The ground should suit him,” said Paul Nicholls yesterday. “I just hope it isn’t one run too many. Some of ours have been busy and not performed of late.” Significantly Ruby Walsh deserts Tatenen in favour or Deutschland who finished behind his stable companion Barker in a thrilling finish to the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. That was over two and a half miles which possibly suited Barker more, while the pace-forcing tactics adopted by Paul Townend on Deutschland that day were a surprise.
Ridden for speed today, Walsh can stalk the favourite and Deutschland looks the best option to oppose Forpadydeplasterer, especially with Made In Taipan better going left-handed.
Enda Bolger is on a mission to resume his dominance of the famous La Touche Cup over the banks and although Garde Champetre would prefer better going, the dual-Cheltenham hero can do the business for the Limerick trainer.
Bolger won this race 10 times in succession before last year when Freneys Well did best of his team in fourth behind the shock 25 to 1 winner Oh Jackie. That one is back for another crack at this unique race which has more than a share of quality added to it this time by the inclusion of the 2007 Grand National winner Silver Birch.
Drombeag is another JP McManus-owned horse with a shout but Garde Champetre can defy his 12st 7lb burden now that he is back over his favourite terrain after an abortive attempt on the Irish Grand National.
Edward O’Grady has Solstice Knight in the opener, a brother to the former Cheltenham winner Back In Front, whose Navan maiden victory came on a testing surface. He is preferred to Uimhiraceathair and Nicky Hendersons’ Aintree third, Ainama.
O'Connor on road to recovery
JOCKEY MATT O’Connor has been released from hospital and will continue his recovery from a fall at Thurles last month at home, writes Brian O’Connor.
O’Connor (21) was knocked unconscious when his mount Walkin Aisy fell in a Beginners Chase and he spent over a week in a medically-induced coma afterwards at Cork University Hospital. “He will be attending the National Rehabilitation Hosptial for rehab treatment,” said the former Turf Club medical officer, Dr Walter Halley, who is a member of the jockey’s family. “He may be attending as an outpatient or they may want him in, but the family say they are very happy with his progress,” he said. O’Connor (21) had enjoyed a good season up his fall, including winning a Grade One race on Big Zeb over Christmas.
