Footpad leads home Mullins 1, 2, 3 Footpad led home a 1, 2, 3 for Willie Mullins in the Grade 1 Gain Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Successful on his Irish debut at Gowran in November, the son of Creachadoir finished third to stable mate Apple's Jade at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was an easy winner of a three runner contest at Gowran on Thyestes day and he was sent off a 14/1 chance today in a first time hood. Settled towards rear by Danny Mullins, he took closer order in fifth as they approached two out. He was pushed along after that flight and soon came with his challenge on the outer, hitting the front before the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score by two and three parts of a length in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. Allblak Des Places finished second under Paul Townend at 20/1, while Let's Dance was a nose back in third under Ruby Walsh at 5/1. Ivanovich Gorbatov was sent off the 8/13 favourite but he could only manage a disappointing fourth under Barry Geraghty for Aidan O'Brien. Willie Mullins said afterwards: "Danny took matters into his own hands. He felt they were going quick enough, and got him settled in behind and jumping. He jumped too big at Christmas, and the hood was a help. "Let's Dance was staying on again at the finish and would have been second in another few yards. She did all the hard work, and will learn a lot from that. "Allblak Des Places also ran a cracker, and I'd imagine all three will go for the Triumph." Patrick Mullins added: "It was a little bit of a surprise, there wasn't much in it at home. "Ruby wanted to ride Let's Dance again, she was second to the favourite at Christmas and he thought if they went a stronger gallop he might turn the tables and he did. She was staying on again at the end. "It probably played into Footpad's hands. Danny dropped him out, it was his first time in a hood and he relaxed. "Danny is just getting on the splits at the minute, he is making all the right decisions and it's great to see. "They went a real good strong gallop, Danny was last early, he jumped well and he is just riding out of the skin at the minute." Barry Geraghty, rider of Ivanovich Gorbatov, said: "They went a very good gallop, and he made mistakes because he was on the back foot." Paddy Power go 10/1 (from 20's) about Footpad for the Triumph Hurdle, while Ivanovich Gorbatov has drifted from 5/2 to 6/1 for the same race. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
