Mullins confirms Footpad plan

Footpad is set to feature at Aintree next month after missing out on the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, Willie Mullins has confirmed.

The six-year-old had initially been lined up for the Grade One feature on Easter Sunday after his fourth successive win over fences in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham earlier this month.

But, when Footpad was a notable absentee from the confirmations for Fairyhouse, Mullins revealed that he will almost certainly be on his way to Merseyside to feature in either the two-and-a-half-mile Manifesto Novices' Chase on April 12 or the Maghull Novices' Chase over two miles on Grand National day on April 14.

The County Carlow trainer told Press Association Sport: “He is likely to go to Aintree. He'll probably be entered in the two races but I would imagine it will be the two-mile race.”