Mahler Gelding Draws Clear To Second Graded Win

Journey With Me (8g Mahler – Kilbarry Demon, by Bob’s Return) produced a career-best performance to run out a clear-cut winner of the Grade 2 chase at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge won a Grade 3 last season and returned last month to finish third in a Grade 2. Partnered by Darragh O’Keeffe on Monday, the chesnut joined the leaders with three fences left to jump and led at the second last. Ridden soon after, he was pushed out on the run-in top score by nine lengths, with another 16 lengths back to the third.

Speaking after the race, de Bromhead said, “He jumped well, did everything right and Darragh was great on him. We would have always hoped he was a Grade 1 horse. It's nice to be back on track anyway, this is a great race to win on a brilliant day.”

Journey With Me will now head to the Punchestown Festival, according to his trainer. He was bought by Brian Acheson’s Robcour following an impressive debut at Ballindenisk for Michael Murphy, and went on to win his first three starts under rules. The son of Mahler was bred by Con O’Keeffe and is a half-brother to fellow Grade 2 winner Silent Approach (Walk In The Park).