Oli outing for Love?

Ruby fumes at Footpad’s final fence fall

NAAS REPORT

FOR the second week in a row the Irish National Hunt season served up a huge shock as Footpad met with his first defeat over fences at Naas.

Eight days after Samcro was beaten at Down Royal, Footpad was a 4/9 shot for the Grade 3 Poplar Square Chase but he seemed held when departing at the last.

Instead victory went to the dashing English raider Saint Calvados who made all the running and showed his remote fourth in last season’s Arkle Chase to be all wrong.

Saint Calvados jumped and travelled nicely in the lead for Gavin Sheehan but Footpad made a couple of big mistakes.

He was four lengths down in second at the time of his exit which left Tycoon Prince to secure the runner-up spot.

“It was a good performance and I’m delighted for the horse and his owners Andrew and Kate Brooks,” said winning trainer Harry Whittington.

There was further drama in the Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle where Espoir D’allen made a winning return on his first outing since February.

After Footpad’s eclipse, Saldier seemed set to provide Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh with a boost but he crashed out when leading at the last to gift victory to the Mark Walshridden and Gavin Cromwelltrained Espoir D’allen. GORDON Elliott says his high-class mare Shattered Love could be in action at Clonmel on Thursday.

After a pleasing comeback at Down Royal, he could run in the Clonmel Oil Chase.