Pady has Aintree aim

Forpadydeplasterer is likely to go for the John Smith‘s Melling Chase at Aintree next month in his bid to end his luckless streak.

The 10-year-old, sixth to Riverside Theatre in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last week, has not tasted success since the Arkle Trophy at the 2009 Festival, though he has run many creditable races since then, including when second in the Melling Chase behind Albertas Run two years.

Trainer Tom Cooper said: “The performance was good and bad, I suppose. There was nothing going better than him between the third last and second last. He just didn’t see out the trip in what was a very competitive race.”

He added: “We’re going to have a look at Aintree now – two and a half miles on a flat track. He ran in that race two years ago and was second to Albertas Run. We don’t know what else is going to turn up though, that’s the thing.”