Last season’s Champion Hurdle-fourth placer Footpad made a winning chase debut at Navan today, when making all for an impressive success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Daryl Jacob.

Owner Simon Munir’s retained jockey Jacob made all on the son of Creachadoir as the gelding jumped well en route to his his comfortable win over race-fit Brelade

Afterwards trainer Mullins said “it was a good performance; he is a very natural jumper at home and he did the same here. He's as good as novice as I've seen schooling at home and I thought it was a good performance for a first time out novice.

“I'd imagine we'll look at the Drinmore; the way he was going there I'd be happy to stick at two miles but the Drinmore is two-and-a-half so we'll look at that. He has no problem going two-and-a-half as he was a two-and-a-half mile hurdler.

“He is so well balanced jumping and is a complete natural.”

Paddy Power bookmaker later introduced Footpad at 16/1 for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham.

Quotes from Gary Carson