Impressive Son Of Mahler Plots Cheltenham Mission

Mahler Mission (7g Mahler - Finnow Turkle, by Turtle Island) has Cheltenham firmly in his sights after running out an impressive winner of Saturday’s Beginners Chase at Navan.

A Grade 2 and Listed winner of hurdles, John McConnell’s charge was last seen finishing a close third at Punchestown, with the winner having since followed up in fine style. Saturday saw the bay adopt his preferred front-running tactics and, having jumped well throughout, faced a challenge three from home. Drawing clear soon after, he stayed on well to score by ten lengths under Ben Harvey.

“He's progressing all the time,” the winning trainer later commented. “He's very clever for a big horse.” Looking ahead, McConnell continued, “We put him in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham this week and we'll certainly look at it, you wouldn't be averse to going after that. He's going to get a big enough mark so we're going to be restricted where we can go, but in a good way.”

Mahler Mission subsequently shortened to 12/1 for the Grade 2 at the Cheltenham Festival. He first showed ability for Cormac Doyle, for whom he finished second on debut before joining McConnell. Now owned by Colm Herron and the Rockview Racing Syndicate, the son of Mahler is the best performer bred by Ivor Dulohery out of Finnow Turkle.