FOOT ON THE GAS
Jacob mount will be one to beat
RECEIVING weight from his four rivals, Footpad should resume winning ways in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, one of two Grade 2 events on tomorrow’s card in Thurles.
Having faced Clan Des Obeaux and Cyrname in the King George at Kempton over Christmas, the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old must be expected to give his trainer a first win in the Kinloch Brae since Apt Approach triumphed back in 2012.
Footpad performed creditably in the King
George, holding every chance on the home-turn before lack of stamina, against Grade 1 performers, appeared to find him out.
He finished third, beaten a total of 26 lengths, and, if fully recovered, should bounce back to winning form here, on his second visit of the season to Thurles, where he bolted-up on seasonal debut in November, slamming Mala Beach by ten lengths in a conditions event.
Unbeaten on his novice season, when he scored five times, including Grade 1’s at Leopardstown (twice), Cheltenham and Punchestown, Footpad failed to score in three outings last term, his best effort coming when collared late by veteran Simply Ned at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
Tomorrow’s race looks a gilt-edged opportunity for the Closutton runner, the mount again of Daryl Jacob (inset). He escapes a penalty and receives weight from his chief rivals Hardline and the other Mullisn runner Real Steel.
On what promises to be a good day for the Mullins team, Elimay and Monkfish should be tough to beat. Elimay, a listed hurdle winner at Killarney last May, building on a win at the Punchestown Festival, chases the biggest ‘pot’ on offer tomorrow, in the Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires Capri Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.
The grey must carry a 3lb. penalty for her chase debut win at Cork, where she beat Agusta Gold readily in a ‘Grade 3’.
The runner-up re-opposes, but shouldn’t trouble the J P Mcmanusowned Mullins mare.
Earlier, stable-jockey Paul Townend will be on board Monkfish when he attempts to follow-up his maiden success at Fairyhouse in the W T O’grady Memorial Irish EBF Novice Hurdle. Monkfish looked a dour stayer when opening his account at Fairyhouse last time. So this step-up in trip should suit him.