Footpad © Photo Healy Racing
Champion Hurdle fourth placer Footpad embarks on a career over fences when he runs in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Navan.
Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's retained rider Daryl Jacob is over for the spin, and Footpad is his only mount on the Proudstown Park card.
The French are synonymous with schooling their horses from an early stage and Footpad began jumping Gallic style hurdles as far back as April 2015.
No stone will have been left unturned by the Willie Mullins team to have the dual Grade 1 winning juvenile hurdler jumping fluently for his initial test in this sphere.
The fences at Navan are a stiff but fair ask, and the likely market-leader will get plenty of light at his obstacles as he only has to contend with six opponents in this two mile one furlong heat.
Brelade has had a couple of outings at this game since returning after his seasonal break. He certainly hasn't been disgraced behind Tout Est Permis and Petit Mouchoir thus far.
Gordon Elliott's hope is a course winning maiden hurdler but he has a task on against Footpad, and the Mullins camp are going for their fifth win in a row in this contest.
Whatever the fate of Brelade, the Elliott team could start the day on the right note with Swingbridge in the Meath Farm Machinery Handicap Hurdle.
A grand servant to his owners, Noel and Valerie Moran, and the Cullentra House team, Swingbridge might come forward for the addition of cheek-pieces.
The St Johann Ski Resort Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle is a competitive event with many in the fifteen strong field holding claims. All Souls is eye-catching under Denis O'Regan as he begins life for the Steve Mahon yard.
There may be only five to choose from in the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race but it appears a tricky puzzle. Point-to-point victor Invincible Cave will surely be popular for Gigginstown House Stud, Gordon Elliott and Lisa O'Neill.
