Pady the pick
This was always going to be the true vocation for Tom Cooper’s imposing six-year-old and it will be disappointing should he fail to get off to a winning start.
He was one of the best novice hurdlers in the country last season, rounding off his campaign with a creditable fourth behind compatriots Fiveforthree, Venalmar and Trafford Lad in the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
That followed on a series of decent efforts and Forpadydeplasterer has to be the choice.
The Kildare Maiden Hurdle promises a fascinating tussle between two potentially high-class horses in Pandorama and Head Of The Posse.
The latter made a big impression when winning a bumper at Tipperary earlier in the month, but Pandorama is napped to prove too strong.
Noel Meade’s charge added to his point-to-point success with two brilliant displays in two bumpers, at Punchestown and Naas, and is one who has to be followed until beaten.
It could be a good day for Meade. His Fisher Bridge, impressive when cruising past Superior Ben to take his maiden on this track, can land the Tote Sports Lounge Novice Hurdle.
Long-absent Never Bold, beaten a head into second in a 20-runner Listed hurdle at Auteuil in May of last year, is his most interesting opponent.
Meade’s Shiloh, who made crucial mistakes at the final two fences when third to Operation Houdini at Roscommon, gets the nod in the Annual Membership At Punchestown Handicap Chase.
And Meade could round off his day by landing the Bumper with once-raced No Pass Nada, who performed below expectations when only seventh to Zarinava at Leopardstown back in March.
