Pertemps Final: Impulsive can Star for Waley-Cohen

A lightly-raced seven-year-old, Impulsive Star comes to the Festival with a record of four wins from five starts under Rules (he also won his only start in points) and has improved with each run over hurdles this season for Neil Mulholland's stable following a bumper win in Ireland last spring.

His only defeat to date came at Cheltenham in December, but there was no disgrace in Impulsive Star finishing less than eight lengths fourth behind Wholestone in a Grade 2 novice event. That was, after all, just his second start over hurdles after a winning debut at Ffos Las the previous month. Wholestone has won again since to become a leading contender for the Albert Bartlett, while West Approach, who finished just behind Impulsive Star at Cheltenham, has also run well since to advertise his own Albert Bartlett claims.

Impulsive Star returned to winning ways in a lesser event at Catterick next time, but it was a successful handicap debut at Exeter in February which put him firmly in the picture for the Pertemps Final. Well backed for a competitive qualifier in the series for staying hurdlers, Impulsive Star travelled powerfully before staying on well to account for a couple of bang-in-form fellow novices, Rocklander and Ballymilan. The runner-up is another improving type, while the third was bidding to complete a four-timer, so the form looks strong.

Impulsive Star won his Exeter race from a BHA mark of 130 and with further improvement on the cards, he remains well handicapped despite a 10 lb rise in his rating which has guaranteed him a place in the field at Cheltenham. He has looked a strong stayer, and with a large field likely to ensure a well-run race, coupled with Cheltenham’s stiff finish, Impulsive Star looks to have plenty in his favour. Any further softening of the ground between now and the Pertemps Final won’t do Impulsive Star’s chances any harm, either, as he’s proven on soft ground which will also help bring his stamina into play.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Jury Duty is another of those prominent in the betting who appeals as potentially well treated, while Tobefair and El Bandit are a couple of prolific winners this season who won’t lack for support. However, it’s Impulsive Star whom we think can provide Cheltenham’s chairman Robert Waley-Cohen with another Festival success. Impulsive Star is the regular ride of his owner’s amateur son Sam who partnered his father’s Long Run to victory in the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

Recommendation: 

Back Impulsive Star for the Pertemps Final at 11/1

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