Footpad gave jockey Ruby Walsh his 57th winner at the National Hunt festival at Cheltenham win a victory in Tuesday's Grade 1 Arkle Chase for novices at two miles, ovecome a dreadful mistake halfway through the race.

The 5-6 favorite, Footpad essentially forgot to jump the sixth of the 13 fences, crashing through to land awkwardly. He recovered to take the lead two fences from the finish and win easily by 14 lengths over Brain Power. Petit Mouchoir finished third in the field of five.

Walsh, the winningest rider in the history of the festival, celebrated by waving his whip in the air a few strides before the wire. Walsh recently returned from a broken leg that kept him out of action since November.

Aside from the mistake, Footpad had a good trip, stalking a speed duel between Petit Mouchoir and Saint Calvados. Footpad trailed by about 15 lengths midway through the race and closed steadily under a confident ride from Walsh through the final six furlongs.

A 6-year-old gelding by Creachadoir, Footpad has won 9 fo 19 starts in his career, but is unbeaten in four starts over fences. Footpad has been held in high regard throughout his career, having won a Grade 1 hurdle in France in 2016.