FOOTPAD made the perfect start to his campaign with a facile success in the Boomerang.ie Chase at Thurles on Thursday.

The seven-year-old looked another superstar in the making for the Willie Mullins team after winning each of his five starts as a novice over fences two seasons ago – a run which included a brilliant display in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

However, having failed to rediscover that form in three underwhelming displays last term, Footpad was on something of a recovery mission on his reappearance and did not disappoint on his return from a 252-day absence.

Sent off the 8/11 favourite, Footpad was settled in third for much of the two-mile-six-furlong journey by Daryl Jacob, as Jetz and the 2018 Ryanair Chase hero Balko Des Flos disputed the lead.

Footpad was always travelling and jumping with enthusiasm in behind and once given his head, he swept to the front with the minimum of fuss.

Mala Beach came from further back to try to throw down a challenge in the straight, but Footpad never looked in any danger of being caught and passed the post with 10 lengths in hand.

Jacob said: “It is lovely to see the horse back on the racetrack and he had plenty of enthusiasm and jumped and travelled very, very well. It’s a great starting point for him and he never missed a beat the whole way around.

“Today’s trip wasn’t a problem for him and ideally going a little bit quicker early doors would have suited him, but he is nice and fresh and it was good to see a performance like that this early in the year. It was mission accomplished today.”

CLASSY MARE

Earlier in the day Henry de Bromhead saddled Sinoria to make a successful debut over fences.

The six-year-old won two of her first three starts over hurdles last season, including a listed victory against the boys at Punchestown in February.

She subsequently finished down the field in the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

With the high-class Willie Mullins-trained mare Good Thyne Tara the even-money favourite, Sinoria was a 6/4 chance for the mares' beginners chase and it was a straight shootout between the two from a long way out.

Always in front in the hands of Rachael Blackmore, Sinoria began to assert her authority before the home turn and an untidy leap at the final fence did not prevent her from winning by 12 lengths.

De Bromhead said: “Rachael was brilliant on her and she jumped great bar the last, when she probably got a bit lonely. It’s the start you could only hope for and hopefully she will progress from there.

“The Grade 3 mares’ novice chase in Mallow (Cork) on Hilly Way Chase day is next on my mind for her. She’ll go on most grounds and appreciates a nice bit of ease. She enjoys chasing and I’m delighted with her.”

SHEEN SHINES

Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power combined to win the INH Stallion Owners EBF Rated Novice Hurdle with Silver Sheen.

The 3/1 shot readily pulled six and a half lengths clear of Allez Dance, with 13/8 favourite Royal Thief the same distance further away in third.

The trainer’s daughter, Kate Harrington, said: “We always thought he was a nice horse and the soft ground really helps him.

“I bought him myself for £30,000 for John Turner last February and he is from the family of Moscow (Flyer). The first horse John had with Willie Mullins had Hurricane Fly in the page and he said we’ll buy the one with Moscow (Flyer) in the page.

“We’ll try to find another race like that before we let him loose into any higher company, but he couldn’t have done it better there.”

MULLINS DOUBLE

Having seen Footpad make an impressive start to his campaign in the feature event earlier in the afternoon, Willie Mullins completed a double in the concluding bumper with Asterion Forlonge.

Having won his only start in the point-to-point field, the five-year-old was bought for £290,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Cheltenham Sale in February and now carries the colours of Joe Donnelly – the owner of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Al Boum Photo.

He was the 1/4 favourite for his debut under rules in the Hill Fabrication Flat Race, but made hard work of it under the trainer’s son, Patrick, digging deep to get the better of Watergate Lady by three-quarters of a length.

“The race didn’t go to plan and I didn’t give him a fantastic ride – he got me out of a hole,” admitted Mullins junior.

“He had an injury last year and I’d imagine he’ll go straight over hurdles now. He’ll be a staying horse over hurdles and fences.”

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