FOOTPAD was all the rage after he won on his chasing bow at Navan on Sunday.

Quotes of 14/1 and 16/1 for the Arkle quickly dissolved, and you will not get much better than 6/1 now.

You can understand the attraction. Willie Mullins’ horse was seriously impressive.

His jumping for Daryl Jacob was foot-perfect throughout, and his jump at the final fence, when he should have been getting tired, was superb.

He beat Brelade by 11 lengths, and Brelade was a high-class novice hurdler last season, he finished second in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novices’ Hurdle last December.

Also, Gordon Elliott’s horse had already run twice over fences before Sunday, so he had race fitness and chasing experience on his side.

Footpad was a classy hurdler himself. As a juvenile, he won the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle and finished third in the Triumph Hurdle, and last year he finished fourth in the Champion Hurdle as a five-year-old.

It is interesting to compare Footpad with Petit Mouchoir. Footpad finished behind the Gigginstown House horse in the Ryanair Hurdle, the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle last season.

He is rated 3lb lower than Petit Mouchoir over hurdles, and Petit Mouchoir was also impressive in winning on his chasing bow at Punchestown.

Actually, on a line through Brelade, who finished second to both horses in their respective beginners’ chases, there is very little between Footpad and Petit Mouchoir over fences too.

Also, remember that Footpad has stamina too. He won the Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil over almost two and a half miles in France as a four-year-old, and he finished third behind Unowhatimeanharry and Nichols Canyon in the Champion Stayers’ Hurdle at Punchestown in April. He has the option to step up in trip over fences.

It is a pity that Petit Mouchoir has reportedly had a slight setback and will probably not be racing again now until the new year.

Perhaps that explains why he is available at twice Footpad’s odds for the Arkle.