Footpad maintained his unbeaten record over fences when making all for an impressive success in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Fast, accurate jumping has characterised his previous chase wins this term at Navan and the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase here at Christmas, and he hardly put a foot wrong again.

The 4/9 favourite set a strong pace under Paul Townend forcing early mistakes from chief rival Petit Mouchoir and stable-companion Demi Sang

Petit Mouchoir stuck to his task well in pursuit of the odds-on favourite, with the other three runners well strung out behind.

However the exciting grey, a dual Grade 1 winner here over hurdles last season and reappearing after a near four-month spell on the sidelines, could make no impact on Footpad in the straight.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding pecked slightly at the last but stayed on strongly to score by five lengths, with Any Second Now all of 19 lengths further back in third.

He's good, isn't he? Footpad wins the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase! @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/5qCWiTOqCa

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 3, 2018

Mullins said, “He did it the hard way and jumped well in front. I think he pecked a bit at the last but it was a very good performance.

“We didn’t set out to make it but Paul wasn’t happy that there was enough pace so he went on.

“We are heading for the Arkle unless something else changes.

“He was fourth in a Champion Hurdle but we thought he would be going two and a half miles or more over fences. The first day he jumped he was very good and when you can jump you can go any trip.

“Demi Sang made a hash of the first fence and lost his confidence a bit so David tried to get him back jumping and he did.

“It would be hard to see him competing at Grade 1 level over two miles so he’ll probably have to drop down a Grade or go out in trip. I would prefer to go out in trip but we’ll have a word with Frank (Berry) and JP (McManus) and see what they want to do."

Townend said, "We didn't hang around and kept it up. He jumped super and came up for me at the last when he was very long and got to the other side."

Paddy Power now make Footpad odds-on to follow up in the Arkle at Cheltenham offering just 10/11 (from 11/8) while Boylesports left him unchanged at 5/4.

The latter firm cut Petit Mouchoir into 4/1 (from 7/1).