After reportedly bleeding from the nose when last seen, finishing at the rear in the Ryanair Chase in March, Footpad got back on track this afternoon with a convincing win in the Boomerang.ie Chase at Thurles.

Upped in trip to this two and three quarter miler, the star novice chaser of 2017/2018 began the process of putting last season’s forgettable campaign behind him.

Eleven-year-old Mala Beach ran well, but he had to answer to the Daryl Jacob-ridden Footpad from between the final two fences.

Still only a seven-year-old, and pretty much already a proven staying type from his time over the minor obstacles, the Creachadoir gelding here eventually scored an easy ten length win.

The 2017 Galway Plate hero, and top of the pile in the Ryanair Chase in 2018, Balko Des Flos disappointed, back fourth of the five.

"It is lovely to see the horse back on the racetrack and he had plenty of enthusiasm and jumped and travelled very very well. It's a great starting point for him and his jumping was very very good today and he never missed a beat the whole way around,” said Jacob on the Willie Mullins-trained victor.

"Today's trip wasn't a problem for him and ideally going a little bit quicker early doors would have suited him but he is nice and fresh and it was good to see a performance like that, this early in the year.

"It was mission accomplished today."

Paddy Power go 8/1 from 16/1 about Footpad for the Ryanair Chase. They go 12/1 from 33/1 on Footpad for the King George. For the Gold Cup then it’s 33/1 from 50s Footpad.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Balko Des Flos (FR), trained by Henry de Bromhead, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be blowing hard post race.

(TW & EM)