Footpad and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Ruby Walsh closed in on the 2,500 career winner mark when Footpad romped home at odds of 1/10 in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at Gowran.
In the three runner two miler Jazz Ranger tried hard from the front to at least make the Isaac Souede and Simon Munir victor earn his first place prize-money.
Willie Mullins' charge eased to the front approaching the last though, pinged the final flight, and strode on to oblige by a very easy twelve lengths over Jazz Ranger. The other participant, 50/1 shot Tagg's Island was eighty two lengths off them.
"He did what he had to do and jumped a little sharper than at Leopardstown. He'll run next in the Grade 1 at Leopardstown (February 6)," remarked Mullins.
"He didn't race properly last time but I definitely think he is still a Triumph Hurdle horse. We'll see what he does the next day."
Paddy Power go 20/1 unchanged about Footpad for the Triumph Hurdle.
(TW & EM)
