Glen Forsa Provides Mahler With Grade 2 Success

Glen Forsa (7g Mahler - Outback Ivy, by Bob Back) continued his upward curve when running out a wide margin winner of the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Friday.

Amy Murphy’s Kalashnikov posed a serious threat to Glen Forsa completing a three-timer, but the Mick Channon-trained bay never looked in danger during the two mile contest. Leading from flag fall, he jumped well throughout under Jonathan Burke and began to draw clear from the third last, staying on to win by 19 lengths on the line.

Jack Channon, son of and assistant to the winning trainer, afterwards revealed their future aims, saying, “We always thought Glen Forsa was very decent and he has proved the drop back to two miles was no problem. He put a good horse like Kalashnikov under pressure a long way out. It's a strong possibility it will be the Racing Post Arkle after that but he is in the JLT as well.”

Glen Forsa has been tremendously consistent for owner TP Radford, having won four of his seven starts, and finished second on another two occasions. Bought as a store for €33,000, the son of Mahler was bred by Jonathan Deacon out of a half-sister to Tolworth Hurdle third Bracey Run.

Mahler is enjoying a successful season, with his son Ok Corral remaining unbeaten over fences, while Grade 3 winner Ornua finished second in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. Mahler commands a fee of €5,500 at the Beeches Stud this season.