All roads lead to Cheltenham for Colm Murphy’s Impervious

Leading Mares’ Chase contender could rekindle Brave Inca days for popular trainer.

Colm Murphy has revealed star mare Impervious will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival where she will tackle the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old took her tally to three from three over the larger obstacles when downing an above-average cast at Punchestown on Sunday, adding that Grade Three prize to the Grade Two honours she secured at Cork in December.

Single-figure odds for the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival, her name was missing from the entries for any of the Graded novice chases when they were revealed earlier this week, with connections deciding to keep her among her own sex and target the mares-only chase on the final day – for which she is disputing favouritism with Willie Mullins’ Allegorie De Vassy.

“It will be the mares’ chase all the way and we’ll go straight there,” said Murphy. “She seems well and goes well fresh. With her three runs I’m happy enough she has plenty of experience going there.

“We’re absolutely delighted with her, she seems to be progressing and has taken to fences really well – I was delighted by her win on Sunday.

“There’s no doubt she’s probably good enough to run in it (Turners), but the mares’ looks the obvious one. She’s one to look forward to.”

Murphy famously enjoyed Cheltenham glory with Brave Inca, who won both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle, as well as placing in the Tuesday feature on two other occasions.

Brian Hayes and trainer Colm Murphy celebate after winning the Madigan Group Novice Chase with Impervious at Punchestown Racecourse
Brian Hayes and trainer Colm Murphy celebate after winning the Madigan Group Novice Chase with Impervious at Punchestown Racecourse (Brian Lawless/PA)

He also tasted big-race success when Big Zeb landed the Champion Chase in 2011 and although he heads back to Prestbury Park with a real chance of adding to his Festival tally, the Wexford-based handler believes luck will have to be on his side to register his first victory at racing’s showpiece meeting since Empire Of Dirt scored in 2016.

“In fairness we’ve had a few there since,” he continued. “We had Relegate there and it didn’t work out for her when going for the handicap hurdle (Pertemps) with a massive chance and it will be the same for this lady.

“If we can get her there in tip-top shape, she’ll be going there with a massive chance and you’ve just got to hope things go right on the day.

“You need so much luck on the day and if we do, then she has the credentials. You need the rub of the green especially in those places (Cheltenham).”

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