Son Of Mahler Completes Hat-Trick In Aintree Grade 3

Gwennie May Boy (6g Mahler – Samsha, by Robin des Pres) continued his remarkable progression to complete a hat-trick of wins in the Grade 3 opener at Aintree on Saturday.

The son of Mahler made a successful start for Dan Skelton in February and followed up in a £100,000 hurdler at Uttoxeter last month. Reunited with Charlie Todd at the Grand National Festival, he raced in midfield for much of the way and improved to lead after the third last. Drawing clear approaching the final flight, he kept on well to score by seven and a half lengths, while last year’s winner, stablemate and favourite West Balboa (Yeats), took third.

“I genuinely thought West Balboa would win,” Skelton revealed after the race. “I'm astounded by the improvement in this horse. Gwennie May Boy is only six years old and I've not had him all that long. It’'s remarkable how much he has improved.”

Bred by Ms Joyce Marsh, the now five-time hurdle winner is owned by Ms Gwendoline Clarke.