Big future for Mahler bumper winner

Trainer Peter Fahey has high hopes for The Big Dog (5g Mahler-Saddlers Leader, by Saddlers' Hall) following the five-year-old’s bumper victory at Naas on Sunday.

Fahey believes that the former point-to-pointer will come into his own over obstacles after this success.

“He’s a proper horse. He ran fourth at Leopardstown at Christmas and this track suited him a lot better,” said the successful trainer. “He came highly regarded and Aidan Fitzgerald had him for his point-to-points. He’s a cracking horse and we’re looking forward to sending him hurdling in the autumn.”

Bred by Kevin Neville, The Big Dog is owned by the Kelly family from Co Offaly.