Pertemps Dark Horses

The Pertemps Network Final is one of the Cheltenham Festival's most daunting handicaps, a three-mile Listed race that is set to be run as race two on day three of the meeting in 2025.

Ahead of this latest instalment, we are picking out a trio of dark horses that might be able to outrun decent odds.

With this race being the final of a series, horses must have finished in the first six in any of the scheduled qualifiers to be eligible for the Pertemps Network Final.

When assessing the Pertemps Final, it's worth recalling that only two winners this century have actually won a qualifier en route to the Festival, while Irish-trained runners have won seven of the past nine renewals.

Doddiethegreat

Latest odds: 33/1

It didn't quite happen for Doddiethegreat in the Coral Cup 12 months ago as he finished in midfield behind Langer Dan but Nicky Henderson could yet get a big Festival run from this son of Fame And Glory.

He booked a slot in the Pertemps field with a runner-up finish at Haydock in February behind One Big Bang in their qualifier.

Brian Hughes put him in front going to the third last and he was unable to hold off the winner, but saw his race out well to move clear of the remainder.

That was his first attempt at three miles and, ridden a bit more patiently, there could be more to come.

Long Draw

Latest odds: 25/1

Olly Murphy saw Long Draw score over three miles at Cheltenham during the Christmas Meeting in December.

That win came off the back of a string of good efforts in defeat at Worcester, Warwick, Aintree and Cheltenham, and it was his first time tackling three miles.

He cruised clear to score under Sean Bowen and was favourite for a Wincanton event on Boxing Day, only to finish fourth. He didn't run badly, and it was his sixth outing in a little over three months, so perhaps that was an excuse for his slightly below-par showing.

He's had a nice break since and remains unexposed at this staying trip, though he does need some luck to get a spot in the field.

Bugise Seagull

Current odds: 33/1

Trainer Charlie Longsdon could have a solid contender on his hands in Bugise Seagull. The Mount Nelson gelding was a dual winner over timber early last season at Catterick and Southwell and then ran well behind Handstands at Huntingdon in February.

After missing Cheltenham, he was third behind Brighterdaysahead in a Grade 1 Aintree novice over 2m4f, sticking on late in the manner of one that might excel at staying trips.

Two runs over fences this winter didn't quite work out, but he's since finished second and third back over timber at Doncaster and Musselburgh, most recently behind Pyffo in a qualifier for this race in February.

He now has an official rating of 139 and could be a real player in this race given his unexposed profile at the trip.

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