Footpad another nice juvenile for connections

Simon Munir and Isaac Souede had a big day back in March when their pair Peace And Co and Top Notch filled the first two positions in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. They have another nice juvenile hurdler on their hands after the Willie Mullins-trained and Paul Townend-ridden Footpad (1/5) routed the opposition from the front in the www.gowranpark.ie 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle.

Footpad eased away from Lagostovegas from before the last. The French-import threw a great leap here on his way to a six and a half length victory.

"He looked a nice horse in France on his last run and has probably done that way better than I thought he could do," said Mullins.

"I haven't been very hard on him since I got him and he's not in very long so hopefully there is plenty of improvement.

"He's a horse that could go anywhere. I have half a dozen three-year-old hurdlers in at the moment.

"It's good for Kasim who does him, as he had a baby son during the week so he's happy on both counts."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Tamisa trained by John J. Walsh, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have a swelling to her near fore knee post-race.

(GC & EM)