Above Board looks above average for Mahler

J P McManus’s Above Board (6g Mahler-Blackwater Babe, by Arctic Lord) looked a high-class prospect to race over fences this season after an impressive comeback win at Worcester on Tuesday. Barry Geraghty travelled from Ireland to partner the Mahler gelding, who justified odds-on favouritism when coasting home in a 2m 7f beginners’ chase. Also a bumper winner (pictured) and over hurdles, the Jonjo O’Neill-trained and Kevin Fox-bred six-year-old looks to have a good future.

“Above Board relaxed after a mile or so and jumped well,” said Geraghty. “He has the potential to go on from here as long as everything goes fine.”

There was a double for J P McManus and Mahler on the Worcester card when Scoop The Pot (7g Mahler-Miss Brecknell, by Supreme Leader) registered his third hurdling success.