Ruby Walsh saw the writing on the wall for Footpad in his 2018-19 season debut.
The impressive six-year-old was unbeaten in five races last year, and many had tipped him to repeat his successes again this term.
However, Footpad tumbled over the last fence in the Poplar Square Chase at Nass, marking his first fall since April of 2016.
Saddled by Walsh, the experienced jockey saw the way the race was going before the fall.
Quoted by Sporting Life, Walsh said:
I think he slipped at the fence in front of the stands, the third, and that knocked the wind out my sails. He did the same again at the fifth last. You can’t afford to be doing things like up against a horse like Saint Calvados [eventual winner]. He’s a very good horse. He was very good on the day and deserves all of the credit he is getting.
To me, Footpad lost his two hind legs out behind him at that third fence and his front end went forward into the middle fence – and that’s where he sustained his over-reach; He was never going from then on. These things happen and it’s onwards and upwards. I think he was unlucky. It was new ground and I just think he lost his two hind legs out behind him.
Momentum won at the last when he got too high in behind and knuckled over on his head and I’ve gone straight over his ears.
