Tag Archive for: Colm Murphy

Impervious recovery key to Punchestown outing

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Trainer Colm Murphy is keen to see how Impervious recovers from her Cheltenham Festival heroics before deciding whether to pitch her back in against the boys before the end of the season.

The County Wexford handler is no stranger to success in the Cotswolds, with Champion Hurdle hero Brave Inca and Queen Mother Champion Chase victor Big Zeb among his five previous Festival winners.

Murphy retired from the training ranks in 2016, but three years later decided to renew his licence and he was thrilled to be back in the hallowed Prestbury Park winner’s enclosure on Friday.

“It was fantastic the way it all panned out on the day,” he said.

“When we came back, you’re only hoping you get a nice one, so we’ve been lucky that way.”

Seven years on from his last Festival triumph with Empire Of Dirt, Impervious lined up with leading claims in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase on Cheltenham Gold Cup day after winning each of her three previous races over fences.

She looked like she may have to make do with the runner-up spot after being passed by hot favourite Allegorie De Vassy on the run-in, but fought back tenaciously to regain the lead and she was ultimately well on top at the line.

Brian Hayes and Impervious return to the Cheltenham winner's enclosure
Brian Hayes and Impervious return to the Cheltenham winner’s enclosure (David Davies/Jockey Club)

The Punchestown Festival at the end of next month appears a logical next port of call, even if it means she will have to take on geldings at Grade One level.

Murphy added: “Touch wood, she seems good. She’s come out of it well and we’re happy.

“We’ll see how she is over the next couple of weeks and then make a decision. Punchestown is still plenty of time away and she was fresh when we ran her in Cheltenham, so we’ll see.

“She might have to take on the boys, but so be it.”

Colm Murphy back in Cheltenham winner’s enclosure with Impervious

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Impervious battled to a well-earned success in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase, as Colm Murphy returned to the Cheltenham winner’s circle.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old found herself locked in a race for the line with Willie Mullins’ Allegorie De Vassy.

Under Brian Hayes it was Impervious who got her head in front, triumphing to maintain her unbeaten record over fences.

It was a fifth Festival success for Murphy, but the first since Empire Of Dirt in 2016 for the man who saddled Brave Inca to land the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2004 and the Champion Hurdle two years later.

Murphy said: “I’m absolutely delighted, she was very tough, it’s fantastic.

Impervious and Brian Hayes (right)
Impervious and Brian Hayes (right) (Tim Goode/PA)

“To be stood here again is one of the reasons I came back (after spell away from training), this is why we all do it. I’m just fortunate enough to have another really good one.

“I’ve always really liked her, right through her bumper and hurdle days. You hope and hope that one day they’ll go and do what she’s just done.

“Looking at that I would agree that she’d get further if we wanted her to, I’d say we’ve got loads of options with her.

“I actually don’t know if she’ll run again this season. I’d say we’ll get her home, give her a few entries and take it from there.

“I was wearing a lucky shamrock, it’s clearly done the trick.”

Hayes said: “If there’s a man to get one ready for Cheltenham it’s Colm Murphy. He rides her every day. I have little to do with her, but I saw her do a piece of work last week and Colm couldn’t pull her up. Without saying it I could see that she was flying.

“Colm has done a world of schooling with her, he painted the fences white, he was prepared for everything.

“I think I’ve won five races on her now, she’s a smashing mare, and now I’ve got a Festival win on her.

“This is my first Festival winner, a lot of lads leave here without one but I’ve got one and it’s amazing.”

All roads lead to Cheltenham for Colm Murphy’s Impervious

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Colm Murphy has revealed star mare Impervious will head straight to the Cheltenham Festival where she will tackle the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old took her tally to three from three over the larger obstacles when downing an above-average cast at Punchestown on Sunday, adding that Grade Three prize to the Grade Two honours she secured at Cork in December.

Single-figure odds for the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival, her name was missing from the entries for any of the Graded novice chases when they were revealed earlier this week, with connections deciding to keep her among her own sex and target the mares-only chase on the final day – for which she is disputing favouritism with Willie Mullins’ Allegorie De Vassy.

“It will be the mares’ chase all the way and we’ll go straight there,” said Murphy. “She seems well and goes well fresh. With her three runs I’m happy enough she has plenty of experience going there.

“We’re absolutely delighted with her, she seems to be progressing and has taken to fences really well – I was delighted by her win on Sunday.

“There’s no doubt she’s probably good enough to run in it (Turners), but the mares’ looks the obvious one. She’s one to look forward to.”

Murphy famously enjoyed Cheltenham glory with Brave Inca, who won both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle, as well as placing in the Tuesday feature on two other occasions.

Brian Hayes and trainer Colm Murphy celebate after winning the Madigan Group Novice Chase with Impervious at Punchestown Racecourse
Brian Hayes and trainer Colm Murphy celebate after winning the Madigan Group Novice Chase with Impervious at Punchestown Racecourse (Brian Lawless/PA)

He also tasted big-race success when Big Zeb landed the Champion Chase in 2011 and although he heads back to Prestbury Park with a real chance of adding to his Festival tally, the Wexford-based handler believes luck will have to be on his side to register his first victory at racing’s showpiece meeting since Empire Of Dirt scored in 2016.

“In fairness we’ve had a few there since,” he continued. “We had Relegate there and it didn’t work out for her when going for the handicap hurdle (Pertemps) with a massive chance and it will be the same for this lady.

“If we can get her there in tip-top shape, she’ll be going there with a massive chance and you’ve just got to hope things go right on the day.

“You need so much luck on the day and if we do, then she has the credentials. You need the rub of the green especially in those places (Cheltenham).”

Impervious impresses with gutsy Punchestown success

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Impervious remains unbeaten over fences after a tough triumph in the Madigan Group Novice Chase at Punchestown.

The mare won on her debut over fences and then took a Grade Two contest against her own sex last time for trainer Colm Murphy, leaving her to carry a penalty amongst a field of geldings.

That burden was largely negated by her mares’ allowance, and under Brian Hayes the seven-year-old started at 3-1 for the Grade Three contest.

Locked in a run for the line with Henry de Bromhead’s Journey With Me, Impervious battled to get her head in front and eventually prevailed by half a length with the rest of the field 22 lengths or more behind.

As a result, Impervious is now the sponsor’s 6-4 favourite for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

“I’m delighted with that,” said Murphy.

“It was a tall order giving weight to those boys.

“It was probably a little, tiny worry running her on heavy ground too, but she’s answered a lot of questions. We can make more plans now.

“She’s one of those, she wears her heart on her sleeve and she gives everything.”

When asked if she would go straight to the Cheltenham Festival  the trainer added: “Without talking to the lads I’m guessing so. I’ll have a word with Frank (Berry, racing manager) and JP (McManus, owner) and see then.

“She seems to be improving and especially with those fillies, when they start improving you don’t know where they’ll end up but I do know it’s nice to have her.”

Royal Thief returned from a 782-day absence to land the Total Event Rental Amateur National for Patrick Mullins and Henry de Bromhead.

The gelding made a winning start to his chasing career in 2020 before being brought down on his next run and he had been off the track since.

Mullins’ mount was a 14-1 chance and took no time to hit his stride after the long lay-off, jumping well and prevailing by 10 lengths.

“I’m delighted with that. Patrick was brilliant on him,” said De Bromhead.

“He said there was a fresh strip out at the wing and he went that way so fair play to him. It worked really well.

“He hadn’t run for a long time so it’s great and I’m delighted for (owners) Gigginstown. He ran well in the Pertemps a few years ago, then won his beginners’ chase and got hurt.

“We’re in no panic with him now, we’ll enjoy today and have no major plans.”