Racing:The chasing debut of Thomas Cooper's exciting prospect Forpadydeplasterer could be delayed by very soft ground at Galway. The six-year-old holds an entry in Sunday's Grade Three Hartmann Jewellers Ballybrit Novice Chase but Cooper is not keen on tackling heavy ground.
Forpadydeplasterer won the Grade One Deloitte Novice Hurdle last year before running a promising fourth behind Fiveforthree in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
"I'd say it's only 50-50 that he runs," said Cooper.
"He wants soft ground but he wouldn't want the ground too heavy, especially for his first run of the season.
"He has another option at Punchestown on Wednesday but it's pretty desperate ground at the moment. I want it soft but I don't want to take the heart out of him.
"I wouldn't be worried about him starting off over two miles, he did that over hurdles last year as he's got plenty of toe.
"He looks made for chasing and he has schooled very well at home."
Forpadydeplasterer is a 20-1 chance for both the Arkle and the Royal & SunAlliance Chases at next year's Festival.