Footpad in the mix for Grade One novice Grade One-winning hurdler Footpad could step up to the top level on just his second start over fences in the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. The five-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins, made a successful debut over fences in a beginners' chase at Navan six weeks ago. Mullins also has Rathvinden among the eight acceptors following the confirmation stage. On his latest start, Rathvinden was runner-up in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse won by Death Duty. Though Gordon Elliott has left Death Duty in this race, he is more likely to take up his engagement in a Grade Two novice chase at Limerick the same day. "I'm 99 per cent sure I'm going to go to Limerick for the Grade Two. I'm not sure three miles is what he wants now," Elliott told the Irish TImes. "At the moment he's definitely going to Limerick. Davy (Russell) and Jack (Kennedy) will probably be in Leopardstown so Keith Donoghue will ride him." Grade Three Navan winner Tombstone and Drinmore fourth Dinaria Des Obeaux are Elliott's other possibles. Completing the list are Any Second Now, Avenir D'Une Vie and Jett.
