Pady the pick

PUNCHESTOWN this afternoon houses a smashing programme, with the debut over fences of Forpadydeplasterer, in the Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase, the obvious highlight.

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.