Connections keen on Footpad rematch with Petit Connections of Petit Mouchoir are relishing a rematch with Footpad in the Arkle Trophy at next month's Cheltenham Festival. Henry de Bromhead's Petit Mouchoir had the upper hand on the Willie Mullins-trained Footpad over hurdles last season, finishing ahead of him on three occasions. Footpad was an authoritative winner when the pair clashed in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown last Saturday, but given it was Petit Mouchoir's first appearance since making a successful chasing debut at Punchestown in October due to injury, his team are optimistic he will make more of a race of it at Prestbury Park. Eddie O'Leary, manager for owners Gigginstown House Stud, told The Irish Times: "He's always aggressive and needs a run to get the anger out of him so we were delighted with him. "He definitely goes for the Arkle and we're looking forward to the rematch. "Footpad was very good but hopefully he'll meet a fitter Petit Mouchoir there." The formidable Gigginstown operation managed just the one winner at the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival, with Samcro dominating his rivals in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle. However, Petit Mouchoir was one of several horses to run well in defeat, with Outlander being another one. The Leopardstown specialist finished runner-up in the Irish Gold Cup, but will not be contesting the Cheltenham equivalent. O'Leary added: "He's been there (Cheltenham) twice and hates the place." One high-profile Gigginstown-owned chaser who did not head to Foxrock over the weekend was Noel Meade's Christmas Chase winner Road To Respect. He, too, was considered a major contender for the Irish Gold Cup, but was not declared on account of testing conditions and connections are pleased with the decision to head straight for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham. O'Leary said: "As it turned out, with the rain that came, we were thrilled he didn't run. "On the Saturday it was 'oh-oh' but we were over the moon he didn't run on that ground. Hopefully he gets his ground at Cheltenham."
