Aintree among options for Pady
The Melling Chase over two and a half miles at Aintree on April 9 and the two-mile Kerrygold Champion Chase at Punchestown on April 20 are possible races for the eight-year-old.
“He’s come out of the race super and he’s been out in the paddock today,” said the Tralee trainer.
“I’d have to be very happy after the preparation he had. It was stop-go situation so I’d had have to be pleased.
“He was just beaten by a faster horse on the day.
“He’ll run again this season without a doubt. We might have a look at Aintree and Punchestown.
“We’ll just see over the next week to 10 days about Aintree, but there’s no decision made yet.”
A New Story, the horse who broke the Enda Bolger stranglehold on the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, will be aimed at the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
Michael Hourigan’s 12-year-old provided teenager Adrian Heskin with a Festival winner at the first attempt.
Despite not having won since 2005, the veteran ran out an impressive winner, and also finished third behind Niche Market in the Irish National last year.
“A New Story is in fine form following his win and the plan now is to run in the Irish National,” said Hourigan.
“It was his first win for five years and the plan is to give him one run over hurdles before running in the Irish Nationa.”
A New Story has been handed 10st for the Easter Monday feature.
Top weight goes to Jim Dreaper’s Notre Pere and Paul Nicholls’ The Tother One.
Irish handicapper Noel O’Brien said: “There are 63 horses out of an entry of 85 which are in the handicap proper, so it is likely that we will have a very competitive renewal, as it looks as if we will have most if not all likely runners on the day in the handicap under current ratings, adding to the quality of the race.
“In all there are three Cheltenham winners in the race, along with the Midlands National winner from last Saturday and some winners of important races throughout the season.”
The other two Cheltenham winners are Ferdy Murphy’s Poker De Sivola (10st 7lb) and Fulke Walwyn winner Ballabriggs (11st 3lb).
Jonjo O’Neill’s Midlands National winner Synchronised (11st 6lb), Air Force One (11st) and Beroni (10st 7lb) are other interesting possibles.
Meanwhile, Carlito Brigante will have another chance to prove his worth in the Ballymore Champion 4-Y-O Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
Gordon Elliott’s juvenile finished fourth behind Soldatino in the Triumph Hurdle. “He came out of the Triumph well but the ground was a bit softer than what he would have liked,” said Elliott.
