Ground blamed for poor Pady run

Tom Cooper believes testing conditions were to blame for Forpadydeplasterer’s disappointing performance in last weekend’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Although the 10-year-old has failed to get his head in front since claiming Arkle Trophy glory in 2009, he has run some tremendous races in defeat at the very highest level.

His trainer was confident of a big effort in the week leading up to his first ever start in a handicap at Cheltenham last Saturday, but the rain arrived the night before and Cooper believes that scuppered his chance.