Mahler Mare Extends Winning Run At Cheltenham

Found On (7m Mahler - Court Gamble, by King’s Theatre) took another step forward to record a fifth consecutive win at Cheltenham on Friday.

Partnered by regular rider Sean Bowen, the Martin Keighley-trained mare led from the early stages and jumped well throughout. Ridden from the second last, she kept on gamely to score by six lengths from Irish raider Champagne Gold.

“Her jumping is class,” the winning trainer later commented. “That was a really good performance - there were some good horses in that. I'd be hoping there's a nice Listed mares' chase for her next, over two and a half miles or three.”

Now a seven-time winner for owner Oliver Ryan, Found On gained her first career success in a four-year-old maiden at Boulta for John Halley. Bred by Thistletown Stud, she completed the first leg of a smart double for Mahler, with Suain Na Draoicht (5g Mahler - Shatani, by Shahrastani) later justifying favouritism in the maiden hurdle at Sligo.

Stepping up to three miles and one furlong, the Charles Byrnes-trained bay was ridden to chase the leader by Philip Burnes. Leading from the third last, he was pushed along approaching the final furlong and was ridden when challenged on the run-in. Running on well, he won by two and three quarter lengths from Hardwired (Fame And Glory).

Owned by F McCarthy, Suain Na Draoicht was bred by Yawl Bloodstock and James Browne.