Progressive Son Of Mahler Captures Grade 3 Chase

Notachance (7g Mahler - Ballybrowney Hall, by Saddler’s Hall) continues to go from strength to strength over fences and produced a career-best performance to land Saturday’s Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Warwick.

Having won or been placed on four of his five previous starts over fences, the Alan King-trained bay was sent off joint-favourite as he stepped up to three miles and five furlongs, despite being the youngest horse in the field. Tom Cannon rode him to track the leaders, asking him to quicken from four out and his mount obliged to lead approaching the second last. He was forced to dig deep as Achille threw down a strong challenge and stayed on well to score by half a length on the line.

A delighted Alan King commented after the race, “Notachance is a progressive young horse and he's really improved this season. We were delighted with him at Bangor and he seems to have come forward again. We always thought this race would suit him and going forward I'd imagine we'll target the Scottish National.”

Owned by David Sewell and Tim Leadbeater, Notachance was bought by his trained and Highflyer Bloodstock after finishing a close second on debut for Denis Murphy. Bred by Lisa Pyne, the son of Mahler provides an exciting update for his three-year-old full-brother.