Outlook appears sunny for Storm Arising in festival qualifier

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle | 2m7½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Formerly considered a plot race for well-treated veterans, the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham has become a hunting ground for Irishrunners, who have won the last five editions.

Since the prize-money on offer shot through the roof, Irish trainers have aimed future Graded performers at the contest. Maintaining a fair mark is infinitely more important than winning a qualifier, given you only need to finish in the top six to potentially gain a place come March.

This contest has not produced a Cheltenham protagonist in recent history. Only three winners in the last decade have gone to the festival for the final and they recorded form figures of P00.

That may be because the difference in tracks – Sandown is right-handed and galloping whereas Cheltenham is left-handed and more undulating – forces connections elsewhere.

Likely market leader Kilconny Bridge misses out owing to lameness but preference would have been for the Paul Nicholls-trained Storm Arising anyway.

He was considered backward in his first two seasons (also regularly hung and looked outpaced over shorter trips) before putting in a near career-best effort on his return at Lingfield.

Stamina is clearly his strong point given he found his best stride in the final furlong, as shown by a 15.73sec split (half a second faster than any of his rivals), and he should relish this track. The third and fourth have boosted the form with wins since.

Of those at bigger prices, Flemcara and Dream Berry may be best left for audacious punts come March. Espion and Farrants Way would need to win at least once to make the field at Cheltenham given they have marks of 128 and 127 respectively.

The latter should fulfil his potential this year after a stop-start career. He sluiced up at Hereford in March and looks a strong galloping type, so could defy his mark of 127 if ready to go first time up.
Analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Warren Greatrex, trainer of Portrush Ted
He runs well fresh and he should get his ground as they're expecting a lot of rain. He was running a good race when he fell last time – he'd have gone very close.

Portrush Ted: runs well fresh and should get his groundCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Storm Arising
He won nicely on testing ground at Lingfield last time. He's not gone up a massive amount and I hope he'll run well again.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Illegal Model
He's a big, raw baby, he's only run in two hurdles and he's got a lot to learn but I hope his class will see him run well. We've always liked him and he loves soft ground.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Flemcara
He ran a very nice race at Newbury first time out even though the ground wasn't stodgy enough for him, but I was very happy with how he travelled and jumped. I think the ground will suit him more at Sandown so I hope he can run a big race.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Espion
He ran well first time at Sandown and I hope the longer trip will be in his favour.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Farrants Way
He's very inexperienced for a horse running in a Pertemps qualifier because he's only ever had one race over hurdles. He's a nice big horse and it won't be long before he goes chasing.

Chris Gordon, trainer of Straight Swap
He is similar to Go Whatever, who we won this with last year, and he's followed the same sort of path. The step up in trip will help him as he stays all day and the softer the ground the better.
Reporting by David Carr

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