Sensational Impervious caps 'perfect season'

Impervious was scintillating as she put the seal on an unbeaten season over fences with victory in the Grade 2 mares' chase at Punchestown.

The 8/11 favourite stalked the leader Instit throughout and pounced when she made a mistake 3 out. Impervious moved upsides and, from there, the result was in little doubt.

She moved to the front in the straight and cruised on the bridle two out. Another super jump saw her open up on the run to the final obstacle.

The seven-year-old Shantou mare was clear at the last and popped it to stroll home by an eased-down 11-lengths.

Instit, to her credit, kept on for a remote second at 9/2 from 15/2.

Trainer Colm Murphy said: "She's been an absolute revelation and it's amazing how much she has improved from run to run.

“She's stronger now than she was on any day during the year.

“She has loads of options and we can dream away for the summer. She can go up or down in trip, it doesn't matter to her. She's just a proper one.

“I'm sure JP (McManus) and Frank (Berry) will have a plan for her and she'll slot in with the rest of theirs. We're more than happy to go along with that.

“She seems to be settling better, she's not as hard on herself and she's making life easier for everyone.

“Every year when you come back here after Cheltenham you are afraid of what mark Cheltenham has left on them. On the evidence there she seems to be getting better.

“Hopefully she'll keep improving, she's learning a lot and settled better today.

“Without getting in trouble she's a typical woman, she's pretty high maintenance!

“She's pure genuine and she'll do her best for you. Without an exaggeration she would go through a wall for you. If you pointed her at it there is no doubt she'd take it on for you. 

" You don't come across too many of them too often but when you do they are pretty special and she seems to be one of those.

“It's nice to have her and it's nice pressure to have. It's nice to come here rather than going for an 80-95 down the country.”

Jockey Brian Hayes added: "Magic!

"A perfect season for her. She jumped her first fence in public down in Wexford around November time and ever since she has been foot perfect. To round it off here was brilliant.

"It doesn't seem to matter whatever trip. She won over two miles down in Cork and two (miles) five (furlongs) today. She seems to go easy whatever gallop we are going.

"She always picks up for a finish and finds more.

"I was going so easy, I would have loved to have taken a lead for longer but she doesn't idle either when she hits the front. She goes about her business."

After getting off the mark in Wexford, Impervious landed a Grade 2 mares' novice chase in Cork, a Grade 3 novice chase at this venue and the Grade 2 mares' chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paddy Power made Impervious 6/4f from 2/1f for the mares' chase at Cheltenham.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson