Footpad out to make amends for last-fence fall at Naas

1.15 Leopardstown
Paddy's Rewards Sugar Paddy Chase (Grade 1) | 5yo+ | 2m1f | RTE2/ATR

Footpad, last season's star novice chaser, heads the seven-runner cast for this event in which he will be bidding to make amends for an uncharacteristic fall on his reappearance at Naas last month.

Those taking on the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old include Simply Ned, who will be running in the race for the fifth time and gained a deserved first top-level success 12 months ago, albeit needing the interjection of the stewards after passing the post in second behind Min.

Simply Ned was second in the race in 2015 and third in 2014 and 2016, before his promotion last year, and the gallant 11-year-old's trainer Nicky Richards is looking forward to another big effort.

He said: "Simply Ned has been great for me, for all his jockeys and his owners – a real star. He ran a cracking race when second at Cheltenham last time, so I think we can go back to Leopardstown hoping he'll run well."

Also lining up in the 2m1f contest is Footpad's stablemate Great Field, who also fell on his last start, Ballyoisin, who will be seeking a seventh success over fences on his Grade 1 debut, and Castlegrace Paddy, the 16-length winner of the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork on his most recent start.

Simply Ned: has run consistently well in this Grade 1 contestCredit: Patrick McCann

JP McManus, owner of Great Field, is also represented by the Enda Bolger-trained Ballyoisin, of whom McManus's racing manager Frank Berry said: "He came out of his Navan race well. This will be another step up in class for him but Enda is happy with him and he'll like the ground."

The good ground, however, is a concern for Pat Fahy, trainer of the seven-year-old Castlegrace Paddy.

"The horse is in great form," Fahy reported. "I couldn't be happier with him but we don't want the ground to dry out any more. We'll see what it's like in the morning."

Watch Castlegrace Paddy win at Cork

Gordon Elliott saddles Hilly Way runner-up Doctor Phoenix, and said: "He's in good order but would prefer slower ground."

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Ordinary World, third in the race a year ago and beaten 23 lengths when runner-up to Ballyoisin in the Fortria Chase at Navan last time, completes the line-up.

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