Footpad put the foot down.
Willie Mullins’s six-year-old never put a foot wrong in the Frank Ward Solictors Arkle Novice Chase Grade One in Leopardstown on Saturday afternoon.
It was a sensational performance from a real star of a horse who has now won three out of his three races this season, by a combined margin of 30 lengths.
Simon Munir’s horse jumped excellently, travelled smoothly and never really looked troubled by Petit Mouchoir – a high quality horse in his own right who defeated Footpad twice over hurdles last year.
But this year is a different story. This year, Footpad is inspired and he has to be considered as one of our biggest bankers going into Cheltenham in March.
His odds were cut to 4/5 for the Arkle Chase in Pretsbury Park, and will surely be one leg in the ‘dead cert’ accumulators of the opening day.
What was most impressive about Footpad’s display was his answer to being shaken up by Townend down the home straight. He galloped on home with loads in the tank.
He's good, isn't he? Footpad wins the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase! @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/5qCWiTOqCa
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 3, 2018
Cork jockey Townend was waxing lyrical in the aftermath.
"He's looking the full package over fences," says @PTownend – Footpad, already a two-time Grade 1 winner over the larger obstacles #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/PPrqS9cGGb
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 3, 2018
Petit Mouchoir made a couple of mistakes, but connections will be pleased with his gallant showing in second, and he will improve for this run come Cheltenham.
People are getting on already.
Stunning performance from Footpad in the Irish Arkle. He’s going to be exceptionally hard to beat at Cheltenham #DublinRacingFestival #PrewrittenTweets
— Emmet Kennedy (@RadioEmmet) February 3, 2018
When was the last time you saw a better-jumping novice than Footpad, a brilliant winner of the Irish Arkle? pic.twitter.com/CFbsl2f4X5
— Sporting Life Racing (@SportingLife) February 3, 2018
Can't see anything beating Footpad in Arkle. Some jumper. One for the Cheltenham acca.
— Paul Hackett (@Hackett_85) February 3, 2018
