The ante-post markets will hot up even more after Christmas, but Matty Sutcliffe is getting in now with his latest selection, which comes in the Mares’ Chase.
Mares Chase – Impervious 6/1 2pt WIN
The value is getting slimmer each week at this stage for March, and the festive period will unearth a plethora of further clues. The handicap entries can’t come quick enough for me, but neither can the return of IMPERVIOUS, who connections have noted is back in good health after a setback ruling her out of last season.
I had toyed with the notion of playing Only By Night for this contest, but Gavin Cromwell didn’t seem overly bullish about sending his novice to the festival and perhaps she’ll be one for next year. Simply put, if Impervious makes the festival then she’ll be going off favourite for this contest and I’d expect her to win comfortably providing she’s in the same form.
The daughter of Shantou is unbeaten in six runs over fences, including comfortably taking the scalp of last years’ Mares Chase second Dinoblie at Cork in December 2022. She was bought by JP MacManus shortly after that, and claimed another favourite in the form of Journey With Me in a G3 giving him a pound, who went on to beat last years Mares Chase winner Limerick Lace next time out before taking a Fairyhouse G2, now rated 160.
Impervious ended the 2022/23 season with a career best effort in the Mares Chase at Punchestown when an eleven length winner, proving she’s a mare of the highest calibre. While I do think she’d be competitive in a Champion Chase, she’s unlikely to turn up anywhere over than the Mares Chase, which she won with a lot more in hand than suggested, and once the signal is given that she’s en-route for this contest, I can’t see this electric jumper being any shorter than 2/1 come the off. 6/1 is short enough for me at this stage of proceedings, but she’s arguably the most confident selection at this stage.
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