PETER O’HEHIR D’AIR TO GET YOUR FOOT IN DOOR EARLY
THE latest rematch between Footpad and Petit Mouchoir in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy should light up Day 1 of the Cheltenham Festival.
The pair clashed three times, over hurdles last season, including when finishing fourth and fifth respectively in the Champion Hurdle here, with the grey Petit having the edge every time.
But the Willie Mullins-trained Footpad has looked the real deal over fences, winning his three chase starts impressively, and defeating Henry de Bromhead’s charge by five lengths in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last time.
Petit Mouchoir was returning after a break and made early mistakes. So improvement is expected today.
But Footpad (above), already a Grade 1 winner twice over the bigger obstacles, has been a revelation this season.
A superb jumper, he gets the nod to confirm Leopardstown form with his arch-rival in a fascinating five-runner affair, which also features recent Warwick winner Saint Calvados.
Mullins and Ruby Walsh might also bag the opening Supreme Novices with favourite Getabird, unbeaten in two bumpers and two hurdle outings and particularly impressive when landing the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer at Punchestown last month.
Reportedly ‘fragile,‘ Getabird can give Mullins a sixth win in the opener, in which he has saddled the runner-up for the last three years.
But the nap vote goes to Gordon’s Elliott’s six-year-old Apple’s Jade, which should follow-up last year’s win in the OLBG Mares Hurdle.
She has won her three starts this season, including the Hatton’s Grace. She’s a real star and is a confident choice to beat the unbeaten and unexposed Mullins runner Benie Des Dieux.