Progressive Sons Of Mahler Complete Sunday Double

Point-to-point winner Atlantic Shore (7g Mahler - Garrymorris, by Old Vic) produced a fine round of jumping to justify favoritism in Sunday’s Beginners Chase at Wexford.

Successful in a five-year-old maiden at Knockanard, the Philip Fenton-trained bay finished second over hurdles on his final two runs last season and finished an encouraging fourth over fences on return earlier this month. Regular rider Brian Hayes positioned him behind the leaders, improving into second with five to jump and was travelling well when asserting at the second last. Soon clear, he kept on strongly to win by 11 lengths from a strung-out field.

Owned by Mike Neville and bred by James Meagher, Atlantic Shore completed a double on the day for Philip Fenton, with Carrolls Cottage (4g Mahler - Strokestown Queen, by Presenting) having captured the four-year-old maiden at Dromahane.

On his earlier success, Fenton said, “He is a horse with a bright future and I think he will go to the sales if they take place.” Fourth on debut last season, the Patricia Hogan-owned bay made most of the running under Eoin O’Brien and won by two and a half lengths from the Colin Bowe-trained Mr Incredible (Westerner).

Bred by Martin McDermott, Carrolls Cottage is a full-brother to fellow point winner Burns Cross (Mahler) and dual hurdle winner Prince Mahler (Mahler).