Son Of Mahler Battles Into Ballymore Reckoning

Kerry Lee is considering the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle for Ballybegg (6g Mahler - Rebel Flyer, by Presenting) after her charge defeated notable rivals in Wednesday’s Novices’ Hurdle at Wetherby.

The son of Mahler was sent off favourite for the two and a half mile contest following an 18 length maiden hurdle victory last month. With Richard Patrick back on board, the bay made all and was asked to quicken when £440,000 purchase Papa Tango Charly produced a strong challenge approaching the second last. Headed at the final flight, Ballybegg kept on strongly to regain the advantage 110 yards out and prevailed by a head on the line.

Speaking after the race, a delighted Kerry Lee said, “We'll have to seriously consider the Ballymore, as long as there's some cut in the ground. Ballybegg is a very nice horse. I don't know how good he is but the runner-up is a very decent horse on his day and clearly ran a very solid race. It was a very nice performance.”

Bred by Patrick Hennessy, the son of Mahler was previously placed in a point-to-point for Colin McKeever and finished third in a bumper on his sole start for Warren Greatrex.