Murphy hoping Impervious can thrust him back into the Cheltenham spotlight

Colm Murphy, the man who made Cheltenham his own with jumps legends Brave Inca and Big Zeb, believes Impervious could go close to bridging a six-year gap to his last Festival winner when she lines up in the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

Empire Of Dirt gave Murphy his most recent Cheltenham Festival success when he landed the Brown Advisory in 2016 and, having briefly handed in his training licence in the interim, he believes Impervious could be capable of thrusting him back into the spotlight.

Murphy said: "Fingers crossed she has a good chance. You almost hate saying, but, looking at the race, you'd have to say she's capable of being involved.”

He added: “Her form is stacking up and, even if you go back to her Cork run, that was a good performance and I don't think she's far off that form at home.

“If things go well on the day and she gets a bit of luck she could run a big race. We couldn't be happier with her at home anyway.”

Impervious is a general 8-1 chance to win the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Owned by Paul McKeon, the biggest supporter of Murphy's, Impervious hasn't been seen since she suffered a setback after finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in November.

Brave Inca: a Cheltenham Festival winner for Colm MurphyCredit: Edward Whitaker

However, Murphy believes the experience Impervious picked up earlier in the season will stand her in good stead as she arrives at Cheltenham fresher than most of her rivals.

He said: "She had a small setback over the winter and, hindsight is a great thing and all that but, as it turned out, it might not have been the worst thing in the world because she goes there fresh and well.

“She has picked up loads of experience earlier in the season and that's the beauty of it. That will count over there.”

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