soon well off paced in 4th, disputed 3rd and no impression when left in that position at last, kept on same pace
made all, went on approaching 3 out, slight mistake last, stayed on well run-in
raced in 2nd, slight mistake 1st, bad mistake 2nd, pushed along straight, no impression and kept on same pace run-in
soon well off pace in 3rd, joined for that position and no impression when fell last
bad mistake 1st, in rear and soon well off pace, never a factor
FOOTPAD has jumped superbly in his opening two runs over fences, the latest when easily beating Any Second Now in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novices' Chase here on St Stephen's Day. However, he's no certainty here as Petit Mouchoir beat him regularly over hurdles and was also impressive on his chasing bow at Punchestown. A slight setback may just have taken the edge off him and he may have to wait for Cheltenham to get back to winning ways. Demi Sang is unbeaten in three starts over fences, the first two in France, and though he takes a big step-up in class after his Naas victory he can go well. Tycoon Prince beat the well-regarded Bunk Off Early easily here last month but faces much tougher rivals this time.
Any Second Now (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) In rear, slight mistake 6th, closed to track leaders from 3 out, ridden to chase winner straight, soon no impression, one pace, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Footpad (11-12) at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec.
Footpad (FR) 4-6fav (11-12) Soon raced in 3rd, jumped well, left 2nd from 5th, soon on terms, led before 3 out, went on approaching straight, stayed on well from before last, impressive, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f (1) Yielding in Dec beating Any Second Now (11-12) by 11l, 5 ran.
Petit Mouchoir (FR) 8-13fav (11-12) Made all, asserted before last where slight mistake, kept on strongly run-in, easily, won at Punchestown 2m Yielding - Soft in Oct beating Brelade (11-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
Tycoon Prince (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, left moderate 3rd from 3rd, disputed 2nd before 6th and chased leader from 7th, challenged travelling smoothly straight, lead over 1f out, soon ridden to assert and stayed on well final furlong, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f Yielding in Dec beating Bunk Off Early (11-12) by 6 1/2l, 6 ran.
Demi Sang (FR) 11-10fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 4 out, headway into 2nd entering straight, ridden in 2nd 2 out, closer 2nd at last, improved to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Naas 2m Soft - Heavy in Jan beating Avenir D'une Vie (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
