Grade 2 Win Completes Dream Week For Mahler

Chris’s Dream (7g Mahler - Janebailey, by Silver Patriarch) continued a terrific week for his Beeches Stud sire when landing the Grade 2 Novice Chase at Navan on Sunday, just day’s after Glen Forsa’s (Mahler) wide margin success in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase.

Ridden towards the back of the six horse field by Rachael Blackmore, the bay displayed his excellent jumping throughout the three mile contest and saw him improve into second with four fences left to jump. Progressing to share the lead approaching the second last, he led soon after, but was forced to fight on the run-in, where he held off a late challenge by the favourite Champagne Classic, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season. The winning distance was half a length, with a further three and a half lengths back to top-level chaser Any Second Now (Oscar) in third.

In-form winning trainer Henry de Bromhead later commented, “He really toughed it out there which was good to see. Rachael got a great tune out of him and he jumped brilliant.” The Robcour-owned chaser will now be aimed at the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Bred by Mrs Mary O’Connor, Chris’s Dream was bought by Tom Malone for £175,000 following his maiden hurdle victory for Eugene O’Sullivan. The bay, who is also a Grade 3 winner over hurdles, is a half-brother to Scorpiancer, a dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles in the US.