Fine Season Continues For Mahler

Northofthewall (6g Mahler – Sherchanceit, by Norwich) completed back-to-back wins when striding clear to win Saturday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Hereford.

Having gained his maiden hurdle win at the track in December, the Dan Skelton-trained bay made a successful step up in trip last month when racing 24 lengths clear at Taunton. He was sent off favourite on his latest start and tracked the leader under Harry Skelton. Leading three from home, he soon went clear and was eased down close home, his winning margin measuring 19 lengths.

Owned by Winter Gold Racing, Northofthewall was bred by Mrs Mary O’Connor out of Sherchanceit, who O’Connor trained to win twice over hurdles.

Beeches Stud stallion Mahler also sired three point-to-point maiden winners over the weekend, beginning with Tardree (6g Mahler – Brownie Points, by Bob Back) at Tyrella on Saturday. Trained by Colin McKeever for William Dennison, the Thomas Maher-bred chesnut made all under Paddy McGuigan to win by 15 lengths.

The next day at Turtulla, Boher Cailin (4m Mahler – Eudemis, by Martaline) made a winning debut in the four-year-old mares’ maiden for Ian Power and owner martin Keating.

James Hannon rode Martin Keating’s homebred to a three length victory from fellow newcomer Barden Bella (Mahler). She becomes the first winner out of Listed performer Eudemis and comes from the family of Astarabad.

Later that day at Lismore, the Liam Burke owned and trained Trees Valley (7m Mahler – Valley, by Flemensfirth) built on a promising point debut to win the mares maiden by 12 lengths.

Second last time out at Tallow, she was ridden to make all by Tom Feeney, with success never appearing in doubt. Bred by Bill Ronayne, she is a half-sister to black-type chaser Major Malarkey.