Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PAD’S A FALL GUY
Quiet spell after Willie’s star puts his foot in it
KEMPTON’S King George VI Chase remains an option for Footpad — despite Willie Mullins’ star chaser picking up an injury at Naas on Saturday.
Footpad suffered an overreach when falling at the last in the Poplar Square Chase — the six-year-old’s first defeat over fences — won by the Tingle Creek Chase-bound Saint Calvados.
Mullins believes the setback will keep Footpad on the easy list for “a week or 10 days” but should not affect his mid-season targets.
They include a potential crack at Kempton Park’s Boxing Day feature.
“Footpad is fine,” Ireland’s champion trainer said yesterday. “It looks to be just a typical racing injury.
“I don’t think it will interfere with his next run. It might cost him a week or 10 days on the quiet list.”
Apple’s Jade was cut to 3-1 ( from 4-1) for the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March after completing backto-back wins in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan yesterday..
She was good there today and we’re delighted,” said trainer Gordon Elliott of the returning six-year-old, who is 10-1 ( from 14-1) for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the National Hunt Festival.
“She had to do the donkey work and she’ll come on a little bit for the run. We’ll go to Fairyhouse now for the Hatton’s Grace on 2 December.”
Kilbricken Storm, who sprang a 33-1 shock in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last season, got off to a winning start over fences when getting the better of Cobolobo in the Walters Group Novices’ Chase at Ffos Las yesterday.