Nolan considers Shinrock plans
The six-year-old has looked an exciting prospect in winning both his starts over jumps and holds entries in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival.
“Shinrock Paddy is in very good form and I couldn’t be happier,” said Nolan.
“He will more than likely go straight to Cheltenham, although there is a winner’s race in Leopardstown in two weeks’ time.
“I am 80% sure that he will run in the Albert Bartlett and, if not, the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle.
“He’ll more than likely remain in both so we’ve got the choice.”
Shinrock Paddy is 6-1 for the three-mile Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle with Paddy Power and a 16-1 chance for the Neptune over two miles and five furlongs.
Meanwhile Tom Cooper has not completely written off the chances of Forpadydeplasterer making the line-up for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.
At the start of this month the Arkle winner was reported lame by Charlie Chawke, head of owners the Goat Racing Syndicate, and out of contention for Cheltenham.
Although taken out of the betting with the major firms, he was nonetheless kept in the Queen Mother and Ryanair Chases at Wednesday’s drop-out stage.
The eight-year-old was second to Twist Magic in the Tingle Creek last time and Cooper plans to give him a serious workout later this week.
“He got a stone bruise that held him up for a week or two but he’s cantering away at the moment,” said Cooper.
“There might be a small chance he could make Cheltenham. We will do a piece of work with him on Friday and take it from there.”
There are not likely to be many others leaving Cooper’s County Kerry stables for Cheltenham in mid-March.
Coral reintroduced Forpadydeplasterer into the Champion Chase betting at 7-1 with a run while Sky Bet are 16-1 in their outright list.
Last weekend’s Navan winner Lucky William may go for a race at Thurles instead of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, while Cooper may just have a couple of others in the handicaps.
