Pertemps Network Final Tips & Predictions
Pertemps Final Preview: Three to consider at each-way prices
The Pertemps Final is a Premier Handicap run over three miles on the New Course on the Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival.
Irish raiders have won seven of the last nine renewals of the contest, but there have been signs of a British resurgence, with Third Wind (25/1) winning for Hughie Morrison in 2022 and Monmiral (25/1) scoring for Paul Nicholls last year.
A strong field of 26 will go to post for Thursday's 14:40 race. Here are three to keep in mind, including one at big odds.
NAP: Karl Des Tourelles @ SP
Karl Des Tourelles is up near the top of the weights carrying 11-10, but Philip Fenton's five-year-old could be ahead of his rating of 139 and is a solid each-way play under Brian Hayes.
Given he's just a five-year-old, it would have to be a concern taking on more experienced rivals in a tough race of this magnitude, but he's a very classy horse in his own right and can only improve on what we have seen so far.
Runner-up to Bottler'secret in a Fairyhouse Grade 2 last season, he sampled Grade 1 company a couple of times and fell short, but he has had a light campaign, and it’s obvious that connections have targeted this race from day one.
Runner-up in a Pertemps qualifier at Punchestown in November, Karl Des Tourelles ran well when third at Limerick's Christmas festival. He was put away for this and won't be far away if he can put his best foot forward.
NB: D Art D Art @ SP
Another Irish raider in with a solid chance is Thomas Cooper's D Art D Art, who won a 2m4f handicap hurdle on good ground at Punchestown in October.
The form of that contest has been well-advertised with the third, Pray Tell, landing a Grade 3 subsequently, while the fourth and seventh have also gone on to win since.
Third in a valuable Navan handicap over the extended 2m6f on his next start, D Art D Art was last seen finishing runner-up in a Pertemps qualifier at Carlisle in December.
Back in third was Gwennie May Boy who went on to bolt up in the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock. A mark of 136 could underestimate the chance of this intriguing Irish runner.
Also consider: One Big Bang @ SP
The James Owen-trained One Big Bang has gone up 7lb for comfortably winning a 3m handicap hurdle at Haydock last month, but it was a very convincing victory on the day and he's another to consider at an each-way price.
The reopposing Doddiethegreat was no match for the winner in the closing stages and he's fancied to confirm the form with Nicky Henderson's runner.
A seven-year-old son of Masked Marvel, he goes well in testing conditions, but both of his wins have come on good to soft so as long as the course doesn't dry out too much this week, he should go there with a realistic chance.
View all Cheltenham Festival markets
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation