Big Dreams For Son Of Mahler After Grade 2 Victory

The Real Whacker (7g Mahler - Credit Box, by Witness Box) produced a fine front-running performance to win the Grade 2 Dipper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on New Years Day.

Grade 2 placed over hurdles, the Patrick Neville-trained bay impressed on chase debut when beating a more experienced field in a Novices Chase at the track in November. Dropping back to two and a half miles on Sunday, he was ridden to make all by Sam Twiston-Davies and jumped well throughout. Five lengths clear approaching the final fence, he was ridden on the run-in and kept on well to deny Grade 1 winning hurdler Monmiral by three and a quarter lengths.

“This horse is progressing and is on the up,” a delighted Patrick Neville said after the race. “Hopefully he will be a Grade One winner soon. We will come back for the festival and enter him in a couple of them. We might even go for the Gold Cup!”

Neville also owns a share in the exciting son of Mahler, who was bred by Mrs Bernadette Keane.