Forpadydeplasterer and Master Minded could clash at Cheltenham
Forpadydeplasterer runs at Cheltenham on Sunday in the Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase, which could mean a clash with former champion chaser Master Minded.
For sheer consistency at the top level it is hard to knock Forpadydeplasterer. Tom Cooper’s top-class chaser finished runner-up in each of his five starts last season, including when six lengths behind Big Zeb in the Grade One Queen Mother Champion Chase over the course and distance in March, when Master Minded was one-and-three-quarter lengths behind in fourth. That was on level weights but if Paul Nicholls elects to run Master Minded, who could turn out instead at Ascot the following weekend, he would have to concede 10lbs to Forpadydeplasterer.
“Forpadydeplasterer is going to Cheltenham on Sunday,” Cooper said. "He had a good summer off, all’s gone well with him since he came back and I’m very happy with him. This is a nice race to start him off in. He goes there without a penalty and he’s always run well at Cheltenham. Good to soft ground will be fine for him. The plan this year is to step him up to three miles, so after this we will go to Kempton with him for the King George at Christmas.”
Kauto Star headed the 30 entries for the King George VI Chase, at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, his presence at the top of the weights for the Hennessy Gold Cup, at Newbury on November 27th. The dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner would run off a top weight of 11st 12lb leaving only two others, stable companions Denman (11st 4lb) and Neptune Collonges (10st), in the handicap proper.
One race that Kauto Star will not be contesting is the Grade Betfair Chase, run at Haydock Park the week before the Hennessy. Kauto Star has won the race three times in the past four years but this time Nicholls is planning to run What A Friend.
What A Friend won two Grade Ones last season, in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown in December and ended his campaign with a comfortable win in the totesport Bowl at Aintree’s Grand National meeting. Nicholls has regarded What A Friend, who is part-owned Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, as a potential successor to Kauto Star and Denman and wants to see how the horse performs against top-level competition – Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander is a likely runner – following a breathing operation. He could be joined in the race by Noland, who has not run since winning the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in December 2008.
“What A Friend is likely to be our only runner in the Betfair Chase. He had a breathing operation over the summer and he looks in good form at the moment. After Haydock, his main objective of the season will be the Cheltenham Gold Cup. We didn’t aim him at Cheltenham last season because we wanted to give him a bit of time to mature but it is definitely his long-term target this time around,” Nicholls said.
“Denman and Kauto Star will not be heading to Haydock but Noland is a slight possibility for the Betfair Chase. I have just had a little temporary hold-up with him and I would want him bang on when he runs.
“It’s pointless if horses need a run after they have been off for while and we might need another fortnight with him. I am trying to find a race for him and will have to discuss it with John Hales [his owner], so it’s 99% certain that What A Friend will be our only representative.”
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