TOM COOPER has not written off the chances of Forpadydeplasterer making the line-up for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

At the start of this month the Arkle winner was reported lame by Charlie Chawke, the head of 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 work-out today.

“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 Co Kerry stables for Cheltenham in mid-March.

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.