FOOTPAD continued his ascent over fences with victory in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Willie Mullins' inmate looked the real deal on his chasing debut at Navan last month but, if anything, he looked an even smarter animal in this two-mile, one-furlong feature.

The five-year-old gained a definitive lead four fences from home and simply did not look back.

Death Duty is certainly no slouch, yet he had little response when Footpad went about his business and ended up falling at the final fence when booked for third.

By contrast, Paul Townend enjoyed an armchair ride on the victorious 4/6 favourite, who strolled home by a distance from Any Second Now.

Espoir D'Allen confirmed himself as the leading three-year-old in Ireland this season when extending his winning run in the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle.

Gavin Cromwell's youngster was sent off the 1/2 favourite to remain unbeaten on his fourth outing over timber, and while rider Mark Walsh was briefly short of room on the run into the home straight, he got a dream split and travelled powerfully to the head of affairs.

Walsh was still sat motionless over the last, but so was Davy Russell on Mitchouka, although i n the end it was Espoir D'Allen who quickened up best as he held off the fast-finishing hurdling debutant Farclas by a length and a quarter.

Cromwell said: "He's a very straightforward horse, jumps great and is very professional for a juvenile, although he was a little bit keen early on today. He hasn't missed any dance and has been busy enough for a juvenile.

"He'll definitely get an entry back here in February (for the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle)."

The JP McManus-owned gelding was was cut to 6/1 second-favourite from 10/1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle by RaceBets, behind Nicky Henderson's Apple's Shakira in the same ownership.

Cromwell added: "He has taken it all well and hopefully Cheltenham is on the cards."

SURPRISE

Ellie Mac sprung a 50/1 surprise in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle.

Debuchet, who was one of the best bumper performers around last season, was the 6/5 favourite for his jumping debut and was at the head of affairs when making a slight blunder at the last down the back.

Antey didn't give him an easy time of things and jumped the final flight in a share of the lead with Debuchet and Cask Mate but the Henry de Bromhead-trained Ellie Mac, who had shown precious little in her two previous outings under Rules, finished over the top of them.

Daniel Holden's mount accounted for Cask Mate by two and a half lengths, with Antey third and Debuchet only fourth.

De Bromhead said: "We fancied her at Navan but she hung right all the way and I was disgusted with her run there. She then ran okay at Cork until turning in on bottomless ground."

Ellie Mac carries the colours of the Niccolai Schuster Horse Racing Club, and Schuster was one of those tragically killed when a balcony collapsed in Berkeley, California in the summer of 2015.

De Bromhead said: "I'm just delighted for the Schusters. It's such a sad story behind it but I'm delighted for them. They said that Niccolai would have dreamt of having a winner here, and also Daniel as it's his first winner and he gave her a super ride.

"It's one of those stories that you are delighted to hear and I'm delighted to be part of it."

DOUBLE

Paloma Blue got his act together over obstacles with victory in the Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle.

Henry de Bromhead's charge beat all bar Fayonagh in the Grade 1 bumper at Punchestown but was turned over as favourite on both of his previous timber outings.

Quick Grabim headed the market this time but Willie Mullins' charge departed early, while Paloma Blue raced just off the pace and made his move at the top of the straight.

Impact Factor tried to go with him but Davy Russell never looked worried on the 4/1 chance, who came home two lengths to the good.

The victory completed a swift double for De Bromhead following the surprise success of Ellie Mac in the opener.

He said: "I probably got it wrong, the trip, for his first run in Naas as he was a bit fresh. We came back to two (miles) and he looked very green the last day.

"He's still a big baby and has taken a lot of work in the last few weeks and has gone from strength to strength. I'm delighted to get a winner here for Chris (Jones, owner) and his family.

"I hope he's a Graded horse and possibly we'll aim at the new Festival weekend back here in February."

READ THE FULL LEOPARDSTOWN REPORT IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD