Cheltenham - Pertemps Final Betting Analysis

Oulart came from off the pace to win the Pertemps Final with a bit to spare last season, and I have little difficulty in envisaging Dessie Hughes' charge repeating the dose this year, and he is the main bet at 9/1 with BlueSuare The seven-year-old's campaign has revolved around this race all season and he has been switched to fences for five of his last six starts, finishing runner-up the last twice, and as such his handicap mark has been preserved for this handicap hurdle. Indeed, off a rating just 8lb higher than that off which he won this last term, Oulart could be thrown-in here given that he has scope for further improvement, has the irrepressible Paul Carberry in the saddle, and he is proven to come good at this time of the year. One of many fellow Irish raiders, former Cesarewitch winner Contact Dancer is also worth a couple of pounds or euros at 12/1 with Blue Square. The 2m 5f trip over this undulating track should see Charlie Swan's charge come into his own. The seven-year-old, who was trained by Mark Johnston on the level, has chased home improving, well-handicapped sorts the last twice, and he will be suited by the hustle and bustle of this contest and the strong end-to-end gallop that is nigh-on certain to ensue will play to his strengths. Jonjo O'Neill has sent out the winner of two of the last three runnings of this even and his best chance of glory this time rest firmly with ante-post favourite Olaso, who is worthy of his position in the market having readily landed a qualifier for this event at Haydock last month. There was a lot to like about the way he set about his business there and he's sure to go well, but I just wander whether the ground will be soft enough for him as he appeared to relish the heavy going at Haydock. In addition, his revised mark of 139 means that he has to lump 11st 7lb, making him vulnerable in my opinion. Standin Obligation beat Contact Dancer's stablemate Oodachee and Olaso at this track in November and is actually weighed to beat both of them again, although it is slightly disconcerting that he has been absent since pulling up on his most recent start. Kings Advocate looks best of the rest. Tom Taaffe's charge ran a fine trial for this when keeping on for a solid third to Patsy Hall in a qualifier for this contest at Leopardstown in January. He is at the right end of the handicap, has scope for improvement and should be in the shake-up. On the downside, on the basis on which he is passed over, is that he has appeared to relish testing conditions so there is a concern that he will find things happening too quickly on this better ground.