Novice Hurdler Continues Fine Run For Mahler

Annual Invictus (5g Mahler - Shantou Rose, by Shantou) continued a fine run for Beeches Stud sire Mahler when justifying favoritism in Thursday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Lingfield.

Successful in a four-year-old maiden for Cormac Doyle, the bay was subsequently sold to Thomas Michael Smith and finished a close second last time out at Ascot for the Chris Gordon stable. The in-form Joshua Moore rode him close to the leaders, asking him to quicken approaching the second last and soon led, keeping on well to win by six lengths.

The Deborah Hobson-bred winner provides a timely update for his half-sister by Wings Of Eagles, who is catalogued in the upcoming Tattersalls Ireland November NH Sale.

Earlier in the week, Mahler sired a pair of bumper winners, beginning with the Nicky Henderson-trained newcomer Firestep (4g Mahler - Springinherstep, by Saddlers’ Hall) taking the bumper at Southwell.

Sent off favourite under Nico de Boinville, the bay tracked the leader until asserting at the four furlong marker and kept on well to win by two and three quarter lengths. Owned by Charles Dingwall and The Infamous Five, Firestep was bred by Denis Noonan and sold for €46,000 at the store sales to Highflyer Bloodstock, who also bought his half-sister by Leading Light this year.

Later that afternoon at Sedgefield, Irish point-to-point winner Tardree (6g Mahler - Brownie Points, by Bob Back) gained his first win for the Laura Morgan stable when scoring over two miles and one furlong.

Ridden to lead by Conor O’Farrell, the chesnut was headed approaching two furlongs out, but rallied to regain the advantage close home and won by a head. Owned by Bennett and O’Brien, Tardree was bred by Thomas Maher.