Someone mentioned Footpad a while back, unsure if it was regards to this race, but whoever it was had a point. Seems to have been forgotten about a little, unsure what the plans are, if anyone has heard anything?
His form stacks up amongst the best hurdle races and horses around currently, he's had just 3 runs over just short of this trip, 2m 3 1/2f to be exact, all in France, maybe keeping him under the radar over here in terms of being unexposed over this trip, and a few of his post race defeat comments over 2m read 'ran on well' or 'unable to get on terms', the latter comment applied to this years Champion Hurdle at the festival, finishing a solid 4th (ahead of Yanworth who is joint fav. for this race).
Now I'm not saying he's a sure thing, or indeed he may not even go chasing yet, something I need to look into more, however, if he does, he certainly has the finishing speed for something like this race, and I was looking for a Mullins runner, he has a fair record in this race in recent years, winning 4 from its 7 runnings, and no doubt will want a solid horse for it this time around too.
The step up in trip (from his 2m runs), IMO, is a huge positive, and I think he has slipped under the radar in terms of value, and after looking through his solid form over the smaller obstacles I had to get involved on the exchanges. Small amounts for around 32-33.
As my only bet before today was Finian's Oscar, but hoping he goes Arkle route if PM fails to make I have now decided on Footpad as my JLT alternative. He's only 14/1, having not jumped a fence, but one clear win and we know, being trained by Willie that this price doesn't last long at all.
