WILLIE Mullins dominated the early stages of the card at Gowran Park last Saturday with a quick-fire treble. The market suggested French import Footpad was a good thing in the opening 3YO Maiden Hurdle and so it proved.

Paul Townend hadn’t a moment’s worry on the 1/5 shot as he made all and stretched clear on the run-in for a six-and-a-half length success in the colours of Simon Munir.

“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.”

Another French import in American Tom gave Townend and his boss a quick double in the two-mile novice hurdle but things could have been different but for the drama at the second last.

PRESSURE

The 8/15 favourite had just come under pressure in third when the two in front, Gunnery Sergeant and Neverushacon crashed out. The former fell and brought down his rival leaving the way clear for American Tom to come home a six-and-a-half length winner.

“It looked like we were fortunate there but we’ll take every bit of luck we can get,” said Mullins. “They maybe went too slow. We thought that would suit him but it looked like they slipped him and we were fortunate.

“We’ll have to go up in grade now and see. Looking at him there it looked like he wants a longer trip.”

Bryan Cooper came in for plenty of plaudits afterwards having sprung off the floor to snatch Neverushacon after Robbie Power got caught up in his saddle.

Cooper was in the winner’s enclosure in the next as Mullins completed his treble with the Gigginstown gelding Stone Hard.

The even-money favourite chased clear leader Liberty Jack before reeling him in before the second last. A better jump at the last gave him the edge over Don’t Touch It and he went on for a two-length win.

“We were a bit fortunate with the better jump at the last,” said Mullins. “I’d say he’d be in the staying division and we’ll go out in trip with him. He’s a beautiful looking horse.”

SMASHING WIN

Smashing was a warm order in the featured Morrison BMW Chase and did the business in fine style for Henry de Bromhead.

Jonathan Burke was soon in front on the 8/11 shot and he asserted at the second last for a four-and-a-half length success over Followmeuptocarlow in the two-and-a-half mile contest.

Owner Alan Potts welcomed back his charge in the winner’s enclosure and de Bromhead said afterwards: “I’m delighted with that. I thought it was a brilliant ride from Johnny as he’s not easy this guy.

“He jumped super for him and I loved the way he sat on him going around the top after jumping the fourth last. He’s an exciting horse. I’d say the John Durkan will come too soon and we’ll sit back and see with him.

“He’ll get an entry for the two-mile, one-furlong at Leopardstown and we’ll see what the ground is like. Obviously we have Sizing Granite for that as well. There is also a nice two miles, two furlongs at Thurles in early January.

“I think he loves that soft ground and we’ll get our business done in the winter and then see where we are. I knew jumping the first in the Arkle that I had made the wrong choice of race for him.”

The Noel Meade-trained Monksland opened up plenty of options as he made a winning debut over fences in the two-and-a-half mile beginners’ chase.

Patricia Hunt’s classy staying hurdler was sent off a 5/2 shot and jumped well bar a blunder at the fourth fence. Sean Flanagan sent his mount into the lead four from home and he kept on well from the second last to beat 13/8 favourite Roi Des Francs by a length-and-a-half.

“We said we’d take our chance over fences and see how it goes and if it didn’t work out we could go back to hurdling,” said Meade. “His schooling went great and he has spent half his time swimming as well. When he jumped he jumped well.

“We thought with the Grade 1 hurdle at Christmas he might struggle but if he took to jumping fences you wouldn’t know where he could go. He did run in a point-to-point but that was his first chase.

“He was good other than the second last first time when Sean did well to stay with him. That’s his first winner for me and I’m delighted for him. I’ve been very pleased with what he’s been doing. He has great hands and horses jump great for him. He comes in to ride a couple of mornings and does a lot of schooling. He’s a really lovely lad too.”

A return for the Thyestes in January could be on the cards for Malt Gem after he took the concluding Irish Racing Yearbook Handicap Chase.

Andrew Lynch led turning in on the 6/1 shot and James Hennessy’s charge soon shot clear for an easy 13-length success in the two-mile two furlong contest

Trainer Mary Louise Hallahan said afterwards: “I’m thrilled with that and thought it was a good performance off top-weight. I told Andrew to be positive on him as he stays and I’m delighted for Andrew as he’s hit the cross-bar a few times for us.

“The horses are in good form - they are sound and healthy. He loves it here and jumped great.”

There were plenty in with chances jumping the second last in the two-mile mares’ handicap hurdle but Court Challenge stuck on well at the head of affairs.

The 11/1 shot repelled the challenge of The Conker Club in the closing stages to record a half-length success under Johnny King.

“Her first run in a handicap last time just caught her off guard a bit,” said owner/trainer Shane Crawley. “I’m delighted with that and the 5lb was a help. She’s a good honest mare.

“We’ll tip away with her and anything now is a bonus. She’s small and can’t carry much weight but she jumps well. She has a nice pedigree and that will help the family along.”

Acting Stewards

N.P. Lambert, P. Coveney, V. Connolly, Mrs J.O Onions, S Quinn

HORSE TO FOLLOW

FOOTPAD (W.P. Mullins): He won as he liked in the opening juvenile hurdle and with improvement to come he will be worth following.