Get ready for Paddy to run well

Weather permitting Run For Paddy, who was an eye-catching third on his last visit to Cheltenham, can make a successful return to the Prestbury Park track today.

He looked like lifting the spoils in a three-mile handicap hurdle when he took a slight lead after the second last, but he was collared at the final flight and had to settle for third place behind It Takes Time and Janus Du Cochet.

Nevertheless, it was a fine effort and the drop back to two miles five and a half furlongs for the £25,000 Tote Exacta Hurdle (Showcase Handicap) can have the desired effect for the Heather Dalton-trained five-year-old.

A win for Run For Paddy, who has won over the course and distance as well as finishing an excellent second to Mister Banjo at the Gloucestershire-track last season, will bring a deserved change of luck for jockey Aidie Smith.

Smith looked sure of success on Stormtrooper at Southwell yesterday, until his mount took a crashing fall at the the second last fence when holding a commanding lead.

French challenger Jair Du Cochet will be a warm order for the Unicoin Homes Spa Hurdle but may be foiled by the ever-game Spendid who has run some of his best races at Cheltenham.

The Miles Gosling Handicap Chase, over an extended four miles, is the most competitive race on the card. With stamina the main prerequisite the event is best left to Ferdy Murphy's Ackzo.

Meanwhile, See More Business, who was pulled up in last week's Coral Eurobet Welsh National, having never threatened to take a hand and will now be re-equipped with blinkers for his next outing.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said : "He didn't do a tap at Chepstow and I don't blame him.

"He probably likes a small field these days which he can dominate and when he got behind he decided he wasn't going to bother. The blinkers will definitely be back on next time. He worked well without them but it was a different matter in the race.

"He just makes me smile. The morning after the race he was as fresh as paint.

"People keep saying we should retire him but why should we? He loves what he's doing at home."