Can star mare Impervious down the big boys in hot Grade 3?

Sunday: 2.10 Punchestown
Madigan Group Novice Chase (Grade 3) | 2m3½f | 5yo+ | RTV

Bob Olinger won this impressively 12 months ago and the same jockey, trainer and owner team up with Journey With Me who probably would have been placed in last year's Ballymore but for crashing out at the last.

He suffered a similar fate on his chasing debut at Gowran Park but got his act together to win by a wide margin at Naas and conditions will most certainly be in his favour here. The worry would be the trip and whether the test could prove too sharp, but with conditions the way they are stamina will almost certainly come into the equation.

You would have to have similar concerns for Minella Crooner, who looks an out-and-out three-miler so, if he can manage to keep himself in contention inside the final mile, nothing will be coming home stronger. He is a 142-rated hurdler and has a touch of class.

The presence of Impervious is intriguing as she steps out of mares' company following a stylish success in a Grade 2 at Cork. Not only is she taking on the boys, but she has to give them weight too and that won't be easily done. It will be her first time running in the familiar silks of JP McManus.

There are a whole host of quality novice chasers residing in Closutton at the moment and, while Ha D'Or is probably not at the top of the pecking order, it was hard not to be impressed by what he did at Fairyhouse in a novice chase last month.

He was rated 139 over hurdles, 6lb shy of the level Journey With Me reached, but fences seem to have been the making of him and it could come as little surprise were he to give Willie Mullins his third win in six years in the race. Carefully Selected (2020) and Invitation Only (2018) were his two previous winners in that time.

Glengouly claimed the scalp of Telmesomethinggirl at Thurles, earning a Racing Post Rating of 140 in the process, but Townend has opted for Ha D'or and he will probably need to improve to win this, as will Gracchus De Balme and Francin.

Colm Murphy: 'This will tell us where we stand with Impervious'

You rarely see mares having to give weight to geldings but that is exactly what Impervious has to do here.

The reason for that is because of her Grade 2 win in a mares' chase at Cork last time. It was a fair performance too as Dinoblue got her own way out in front but could not fend off the late surge of Impervious with Brian Hayes timing his challenge to perfection.

She is a leading fancy for the Mares' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival at 3-1 with sponsors Paddy Power; only Allegoire De Vassy is shorter than her in the market. If she wins this, she could even be favourite.

Speaking about her chances, trainer Colm Murphy said: "It's a hot little race but she's in very good form and we're looking forward to the race.

"It won't be easy with the way the weights are and giving weight to some good geldings, but we're still hopeful of a big run. We'll know where we stand with her after the race anyway, that's for sure."

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Glengouly and Ha D'or
Paul [Townend] has picked Ha D’Or who won nicely on chasing debut in Fairyhouse over a trip we thought might be too long for him. We’re back here over a similar distance here. He showed us there that he settles nicely over fences, which we’re hoping he’ll do again. Hopefully he can keep his jumping together and attain a top three finish. Jack Foley rides Glengouly and he won on him at Leopardstown over hurdles. He beat Telmesomethinggirl at Thurles on his chasing debut, will stay every inch of this trip and he won’t be hanging around if there’s no pace on. He’ll be better as he goes out in trip. Impervious could be a tough nut to crack but we’re happy with ours.

Jospeh O'Brien, trainer of Gracchus De Balme
We're hoping for a good run. He was jumping very well on his chasing debut before making a mistake and paying the penalty. A clear round would be the main objective here but hopefully he can pick up a share of the prize-money

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Journey With Me
We were delighted with him at Naas and he seems to have come out of the race in good form. It looks a competitive race but we'd like to think he has a decent chance.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Minella Crooner
He was a good staying novice hurdler and has taken well to fences, as we expected he would. He showed a good attitude to get back up at Fairyhouse. This is another rung up the ladder and we're hoping he can go well in what looks a hot race.

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