Mulholland hoping Impulsive can be the star of Catterick show

Catterick might not be known as a hotbed from which future Cheltenham Festival winners progress but that could all change on Tuesday as smart hurdler Impulsive Star has his first run over fences in the 3m1f beginners’ chase (1.20).

The National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March is the dream for Robert Waley-Cohen's seven-year-old and trainer Neil Mulholland looks to have found a suitable starting block with just three rivals to face.

“Everything seems good and he’s won around Catterick before,” said Mulholland. “He’s had plenty of schooling over fences and is a winning point-to-pointer so hopefully we can get him off to a good start.”

Although sent off favourite for the Pertemps Final at last year’s festival, Impulsive Star has always been viewed as a chaser in the making by connections and with the owner’s son Sam – the Gold Cup-winning rider – in the saddle, the 4m National Hunt Chase for amateur riders looks an obvious big-race target this season.

The trainer added: “I’d think that’s the way we’re going and this is the starting point.”

With just 7lb covering the field on official ratings, it should be an informative contest and also features another winning pointer switching to fences under rules for the first time in the shape of dual bumper and hurdle winner Tomngerry for the Brian Ellison yard.

Represented at Ffos Las and Plumpton on Monday, Mulholland certainly has no qualms travelling his horses to find the best targets and stablemate Espoir De Teillee makes a repeat journey to Catterick for the 2m3f novice hurdle (2.20), having run out a 16-length winner at the course last month.

“He’s come out of his race fine and proved he handles the track fine,” said the trainer. “He’s a horse we hope can keep building and have a good future. We’re not afraid to travel for the right race.”

Shaw takes Southwell aim again with prolific Hammer Gun

Connections of Hammer Gun had considered giving up before he sprang a 100-1 surprise success at Southwell in March and he has not looked back since.

That big-price win was the first of four on the bounce – including three at Southwell – and he returns to his favourite track on Tuesday looking for a fifth win from his sixth course visit in the 6f handicap (2.00), carrying a 6lb penalty after his latest win on Fibresand eight days ago.

“His stats at Southwell are pretty good and while I’d ideally have liked a seven-furlong race, I thought we’d give him a crack over six,” said trainer Derek Shaw, who also saddles Captain Lars in the Class 4 feature.

He added: “Hammer Gun travels strong and has everything to gain and nothing to lose.

"Captain Lars will be doing his best but whether the handicapper has got him I don't know. We’ve decided to claim 7lb off him to give him every chance. It’s a decent prize-money so we’ll give it a go.”

Rivals include Mujassam and Tricky Dicky, who finished first and second in a similar race at Southwell 15 days ago.

Murphy looking to lay down the law at Fakenham

Fakenham, so often blighted by small fields, has attracted a respectable 45 runners for a six-race card offering £56,000 in prize-money, although the meeting hinges on an 8am inspection.

Raceable on Monday, the possibility of an overnight frost and freezing fog in the morning has prompted the need for an inspection.

The feature 2m5f handicap chase (1.40) sees course regular Neil King fire two shots in Mercers Court and Princeton Royale, while newbie trainer Olly Murphy, already a five-time course winner from just 14 runners, saddles Royal Plaza under champion jockey Richard Johnson.

It looks set to be a busy afternoon for Murphy – should the meeting survive – with eight runners to saddle on the card, including three apiece in the 2m3f handicap hurdle and 2m4f maiden hurdle.

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