Mares' Chase market shake-up as Impervious impresses in duel with Dinoblue

Sunday: Cork

Trainer Colm Murphy may well have found the mare to bridge his seven-year gap between Cheltenham Festival wins after Impervious produced a smashing display to extend her unbeaten start over fences in the Grade 2 O'Flynn Group Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.

Owner Paul McKeon's high-class six-year-old is now the clear second favourite for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at a general 6-1 price, having been available to back at 14-1 heading into Sunday's 2m½f event.

It had looked as though favourite Dinoblue had her rivals in trouble on the run to the second-last fence, trading at 1.1 in-running on Betfair, but Impervious picked up impressively to draw level at the last and produce a daring leap under Brian Hayes.

Sent off 13-8, she pulled three lengths clear of Dinoblue on the run in to follow up on a promising start to chasing at Wexford in October.

Colm Murphy on Impervious: 'There are plenty of nice races there and she's one to look forward to'Credit: David Keane (racingpost.com/photos)

"We'd have been disappointed if she wasn't ding-dong there because we've had a nice clean run with her this year," said Murphy. "There are plenty of nice races and she's one to look forward to.

"We're always hoping to have horses for Cheltenham and hopefully this lady fits that bill. It's fantastic for Paul and his family.

"She is for sale if the right offer comes in – that's the business plan as such with Paul at the moment – but we're not afraid to race them either. Without a doubt, we'd like her to stay in the yard."

Notable novices

Henry de Bromhead showcased two of his smartest novice hurdlers at the Mallow venue as Hiddenvalley Lake marked himself out as an Albert Bartlett contender by landing the Grade 3 Singletons Supervalu Stayers Novice Hurdle.

A strong-staying maiden hurdle winner at Naas on his previous start, Robcour's £200,000 point-to-point recruit picked up smartly over three miles to score by eight lengths.

Hiddenvalley Lake: cut to 20-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices' HurdleCredit: David Keane (racingpost.com/photos)

It prompted Betfair Sportsbook to cut him to 10-1 (from 25) for the Albert Bartlett.

De Bromhead said: "He did it very nicely and Rachael [Blackmore] was brilliant on him. I thought he was struggling turning in and then he picked up really well. I'd say he quickened after the second last.

"I'm delighted for the Achesons, especially Rob, who was very persuasive about buying him. Some members of the team didn't want him but Rob put his foot down, so fair play to him.

"You need to stay running around here. You'd have to pencil in [the Albert Bartlett]."

De Bromhead's other successful novice was five-year-old Arctic Bresil, who could line up for the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown in January after landing the 2m1f maiden hurdle by five and a half lengths.

Owner Peter Davies's £305,000 point-to-point purchase was introduced at 20-1 with BoyleSports for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Henry de Bromhead on Arctic Bresil: 'He has a lot of pace, so we'll stick two two miles'Credit: David Keane (racingpost.com/photos)

"He had shown plenty of promise and [point-to-point producer] Sean Doyle recommended him," said De Bromhead.

"He's from the same cross as Constitution Hill, being by Blue Bresil and out of a King's Theatre mare. The Moscow Flyer might be the race for him. He has a lot of pace, so we'll stick two two miles."

'I'll be planning a Grade 1 route with him'

Triumph Hurdle quotes emerged from the opening 2m1f maiden hurdle after Blood Destiny made a winning debut for Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and the Roaringwater Syndicate.

Paddy Power cut the five-length winner to 20-1 (from 33) to provide the champion trainer with back-to-back Triumph wins following Vauban's strike in last season's contest.

Mullins said: "Paul had lots of confidence in him, and when he let him stride on he jumped those hurdles well. I'll be planning a Grade 1 route with him."

Results, replays and analysis

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