FOOTPAD’S defeat was the story that they latched onto from the Poplar Square Chase at Naas on Saturday, not Saint Calvados’ victory.

In a way, you can understand why. Footpad is box office.

Willie Mullins’ horse was a talented hurdler, but he reached a new level last season when he started to jump fences.

He went through the 2017/18 campaign unbeaten, five runs, five wins, bagging an Irish Arkle, an Arkle, a Racing Post Novice Chase and a Ryanair Novice Chase en route.

The trait that characterised his performances last season was his jumping: fast and slick and accurate.

It was that characteristic more than any other that allowed him reach a higher level over fences that he attained over hurdles.

He jumped 58 fences in public last season, and he made one mistake.

Nothing went right on Saturday. He made a bad mistake at the third fence, and he made a strange mistake at the sixth.

It looked like Saint Calvados had his measure when he departed at the final fence.

At the time, it was very disappointing, but at least there is mitigation now. He reportedly suffered an over-reach during the race, probably at the third fence.

So you can therefore legitimately forgive his mistake at the sixth fence and his departure at the last.

It was not an ideal start to the season, but you can forgive him this defeat fairly readily.

It’s not easy to run and jump when you are injured.

And the good news is that Willie Mullins reported during the week that he will miss about 10 days, no more.

Amid the forensic analysis of Footpad’s performance, however, there is a chance that the performance that Saint Calvados put up in winning the race has gone at least a little under the radar.

Harry Wittington’s horse quickly settled into a lovely racing rhythm in front for Gavin Sheehan.

He did have it all to himself in front, but his jumping was good and he travelled smoothly from flagfall. He couldn’t have done any more than he did.

He is a bit of a forgotten horse from last year, possibly because he could finish only fourth of five behind Footpad in the Arkle at Cheltenham.

But that was after getting into an ultimately chance-ending duel for the early lead with Petit Mouchoir. And Cheltenham may not be his track anyway.

His three previous wins over fences were gained at Newbury and Warwick, both relatively flat tracks.

Remember that he was sent off as the 11/4 second favourite for the Arkle.

The Tingle Creek Chase is a race that could be ideal for Saint Calvados.

He has never run at Sandown, but the chase track generally rewards fluent jumpers and prominent racers. Saint Calvados is both of those.

Also, the race is run in early December, often on soft ground.

Nine of the last 10 renewals were run on good to soft or soft ground. That would be ideal.

He will probably have to face Altior in the Tingle Creek, but Nicky Henderson’s horse hasn’t run yet this season, and Saint Calvados would be a worthy adversary for the Champion Chaser.

Harry Whittington and Andrew Brooks didn’t duck the Footpad challenge at Naas. They are unlikely to duck the Altior challenge at Sandown.