Footpad upset at Thurles

CREPELLO

 

With a brace of Grade 2 contests down for decision and a couple of former members fondly remembered, Thurles housed a decent attendance on Sunday where visiting rider Daryl Jacob was expected to be among the winners but he drew a blank.

Wexford born Jacob, who is based across the water but is the retained jockey to Simon Muir who also had horses in training in the country, and it was in this capacity that he was on duty at the venue. Jacob had the leg up on the Gordon Elliott runner Taxard in the two mile handicap hurdle but he failed to feature at the business end which was won by Pakens Rock under a stylish ride by the up-and-coming Oakley Browne.

Jacob then joined forces with Willie Mullins who saddled the odds on favourite Footpad in the extended two mile and four Grade 2 Chase but he caught a real tarter in the shape of stable companion Real Steel and had to be content with second place.

In his post race reflections, Mullins revealed that he was a little disappointed with Footpad but the steady pace did not suit him. In contrast he was delighted with the display of Reel Steel who is now firmly on track for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham.

 

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