Smart Performers Continue Fine Run For Mahler

Chanceux (5g Mahler - Granny Mc Cann, by Westerner) continued a terrific run for Beeches Stud sire Mahler when running out an impressive winner of Friday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Chepstow.

Placed in two bumpers last season, the Alastair Ralph-trained bay finished a promising second on his hurdle debut and was sent off favourite to go one better. Ridden to make all by Nick Scholfield, he was nine lengths clear at the final flight and won unchallenged. Owned by Rskm Bloodstock, Chanceux was bred by Anthony McCann.

Churchstonewarrior (6g Mahler - Western Approaches, by Westerner) kicked off a double for Mahler the previous day when justifying favouritism at Thurles for Jonathan Sweeney and TA Hegarty.

An impressive winner of his maiden hurdle last month, he kept on well to deny £155,000 purchase Idas Boy by half a length, with another 11 lengths back to the third. The Thistletown Stud-bred six-year-old previously won a bumper at the track and was denied a short head on his sole start between the flags.

Shortly after at Wincanton, the Philip Hobbs-trained Earth Lord (5g Mahler - Glebe Beauty, by Good Thyne) drew seven and a half lengths clear in the Novices Hurdle. Owned by RM Penny and bred by James Leahy, Earth Lord is a full-brother to three-time Graded winner Sutton Place (Mahler).