Footpad set for home comforts

Connections of Footpad were thrilled with his victorious chasing debut at Navan on Sunday.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old was a classy hurdler, finishing fourth in the Champion Hurdle in March, and got his career over fences off to the best possible start with an 11-length verdict.

Anthony Bromley, racing manager for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede said: "It was lovely to see. It wasn't a total surprise as the horse has got great form over hurdles and he was always going to be a nice chaser. The manner of it was great.

"It will be up to Willie (where he goes), but I imagine he will be campaigned between two and two and a half miles and then see where we go. It will fit around with what else he has got.

"I was pleased Daryl (Jacob, retained rider) got the chance to ride him as he rode him in most races last season as he was always the second or third string in the Grade Ones in the Mullins yard. When Ruby (Walsh) had a sore hand, it was nice Daryl could go and ride him.

"Whether he will get back on him is another thing as I imagine he will be first choice in that division now.

"He will stay in Ireland until March I imagine, as that is Willie's normal style. He will be entered in races over two and two and half and we will see what his other horses are doing. He is a very exciting horse."