Antepost Punting: The Pertemps Final

1pt each-way Duffle Coat in the Pertemps Final at 20/1

Duffle Coat was a smart juvenile hurdler last season, winning all four of his outings culminating in a Grade 2 success at Cheltenham in November 2020.

Gordon Elliott’s charge displayed stamina on that occasion when staying-on powerfully to defeat the now 152 rated Adagio, who placed second in Grade 1 company at both Cheltenham and Aintree during the spring, going away by 5 lengths.

That form is even more impressive when you factor in that Duffle Coat was conceding a 5lbs penalty to all of his rivals, and both the third and fourth have won twice since.

The grey son of Gentlewave ran respectably on the flat during the summer prior to an underwhelming return to hurdling at Navan in December. However, that was a very competitive heat and Duffle Coat, who travelled in rear from the outset, wasn’t given a hard time when victory was beyond him.

He will contest the Pertemps qualifier at Leopardstown today and it’s entirely possible that connections have a long-term plan. Indeed, Gordon Elliott has used this race to qualify dual Pertemps Hurdle hero Sire Du Berlais and runners-up Glenloe and The Bosses Oscar in recent years.

We already know that Duffle Coat handles Cheltenham and he is worth chancing at 20/1, especially as that price is likely to tumble if the four-year-old sneaks into the first five today.

Davy Russell will be in the saddle today and he boasts a very good record in Cheltenham Festival handicaps. There’s every chance that he would maintain the partnership should Duffle Coat line-up in March.