Footpad rerouted to Aintree

Willie Mullins confirmed last night that Footpad is likely to head for Aintree after being taken out out of the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse.

The six-year-old extended his unbeaten record over fences to four with a brilliant display in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham earlier this month and was in contention to make a swift reappearance in the Grade One feature on Easter Sunday.

However, he did not appear among the confirmations at lunchtime yesterday and is instead poised to head to Merseyside next month.