Mahler Makes It A Weekend To Remember

Beeches Stud sire Mahler continued a terrific season by siring a string of notable winners over the weekend.

Bob Mahler (8g Mahler - Cooladurragh, by Topanoora) set the tone when landing Saturday’s valuable Edinburgh National Handicap Chase at Musselburgh. The Warren Greatrex-trained bay dug deep in a thrilling finish to the extended four mile test and prevailed by a short head under Adrian Heskin. Greatrex later described the winner as “a proper horse” and mentioned the Kim Muir chase as a possible target. Owned by Bolingbroke, Bunch, Howard and Sutton, the son of Mahler was bred by P Moroney.

Meanwhile, at Sandown, Deise Aba (7g Mahler - Kit Massini, by Dr Massini) secured another valuable prize when taking the Class 2 three mile chase for Philip Hobbs and Trevor Hemmings. Saturday marked back-to-back wins for the Margaret Leahy-bred bay, who also won his maiden hurdle and sole start between the flags for Kieran Purcell.

The following day at Taunton, Northofthewall (6g Mahler - Sherchanceit, by Norwich) won the Novices’ Hurdle by all of 24 lengths under Harry Skelton. Placed over hurdles on three occassions this season, Dan Skelton’s charge gained his maiden hurdle success in December, which he won by 11 lengths. Owned by Winter Gold Racing, he was bred by Mrs Mary O’Connor.

Vienna Court (5m Mahler - Gales Present, by Presenting) completed a double for Mahler on the card when running out a nine length winner of the Mares’ Novices Hurdle, her second success over hurdles. Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and ridden by his son Sam, the mare is owned by James and Jean Potter. She was bred by Colman O’Flynn Junior and provides a nice update for the dam’s three-year-old by Fame And Glory.

A son of Mahler to look forward to under rules is Brooksway Fair (4g Mahler - Brook Style, by Alderbrook), who won the very first four-year-old maiden of the year at Knockmullen House. Owned and trained by Denis Murphy, the bay jumped well throughout under Jamie Codd and asserted in the straight, running on to score by two lengths from Orbys Legend (Milan). The sales ring now beckons for Brooksway Fair, who was bred by J Mulcahy and cost connections €33,000 last year.

Mahler commands €5,500 at the Beeches Stud this season.