Cup Final can score in Pertemps Network Final

David Metcalf | March 16, 2016

Cup Final can collect in Pertemps Network Final

Cup Final can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to provide leading Irish owner JP McManus with a fourth success in the Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival (14.10).

McManus loves nothing more than to target the big handicaps, and has seen his famous green and gold colours carried to victory in this 3m contest by Danny Connors (1991), Creon (2004) and Kadoun (2006).

In Cup Final, he has a horse that has always been held in the highest regard and remains unexposed and open to further improvement after just six starts over the obstacles.

The Nicky Henderson trained gelding was sent off odds-on to make a winning debut over hurdles at Taunton back in November 2013, and to finish a four length runner-up to the now 162-rated Irving.

Sandown form very strong

Cup Final went on to shape with bags of promise when third on handicap debut at this venue, before opening opening his account in good style when cosily beating Drum Valley by two lengths at Sandown off a mark of 127.

Drum Valley is now rated 140, and the third home Uknowhatimeanharry – who was beaten a further 3 1/2 lengths – is unbeaten in four runs this season and rated 152.

That gave the form a rock solid look, and Cup Final duly took advantage of what looked a very workable mark of 132 to make a winning return to action at Musselburgh following a lengthy lay-off.