Who To Follow On Day Four Of The Punchestown Festival 2023

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing

Wed 26 Apr 2023 15.09

Punchestown 15:50

Impervious

J: Brian Hayes

T: C A Murphy

N/A

Age: 7

Weight: 11-3

OR: 155

Days: 42

One of the first big races of the afternoon is the Grade Two Mares Chase and there should be no stopping Impervious in this one.

Sent chasing this season this animal has turned into a bit of a superstar, winning at Wexford on heavy ground on chase debut over two miles and then in December made it 2/2 for the season at Cork, when seeing off Dinoblue by three lengths to land the Grade Two Mares' Chase.

Upped in trip over 2m 3 1/2f at Punchestown, she gave weight away taking on the boys having got a penalty for her latest success, she revelled in to the heavy ground again and went on to see off Journey With Me late on.

She was determined and gritty like she has been all season and that set her perfectly for the Grade Two Mares Chase at the Cheltenham festival.

Playing second fiddle in the betting behind Allegorie De Vassy, she looked beat jumping the last but showed a serious engine to pass the Rich Ricci owned mare to land the contest.

She is 4/4 this season and we can't see Allegorie De Vassy or any of the other horses from that race reversing the form.

Form: 51111View

Date	Course	Distance	Type	Weight	Position
17/03/23	CHL	20.5	Sft	11-5	1
15/01/23	PUN	19.5	Hy	11-1	1
11/12/22	COR	16.5	Y/Sft	10-13	1
31/10/22	WEX	16	Hy	11-5	1
17/04/22	FAI	20.5	Y	11-5	5

It could very easily be another huge day for Willie Mullins but a lesser trainer who could have a few winners is the talented Colm Murphy.

Murphy's first runner of the afternoon comes in the Novice Handicap Chase over 2m5f and Macs Charm was a nice winner last time out at Fairyhouse and should go well again.

The handlers biggest chance of the day comes in the Grade Two Mares Chase with Impervious looking to make it 5/5 for the season and stay unbeaten over fences.

Paul Townend could have his best day at the Punchestown festival on Friday with a whole host of quality rides on odds on favourites.

His first big mount of the day comes on the talented Kilcruit in the Novice Handicap Chase with a mark of 148 possibly seeing him well in.

Townend will be hoping he can reverse the form with Impervious with Allegorie De Vassy but she will have to be better than her latest run if thats to be the case.

Willie Mullins number one rider then teams back up with State Man who suffered his first loss in open company last time out to Constitution Hill but back in a field he can dominate it should see him land his fourth Grade One of the season.

It could be raining Grade Ones for the rider on Friday with his next ride seeing Impaire Et Passe look to stay unbeaten in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

Townend finishes his day off in the 2m Novice Hurdle with Uncle Phil looking to get back on track.