Son Of Mahler Extends Perfect Record In Cheltenham Bumper

Encanto Bruno (4g Mahler - Stratosphere, by Selkirk) made a successful trip to Cheltenham on Saturday to extend his unbeaten record in the Class 2 bumper.

Bought by John McConnell for £210,000 after winning a point-to-point for Colin Motherway, the son of Mahler won a bumper on rules debut in July and was sent off favourite to complete a hat-trick. Racing prominently under Tom Scudamore, the Derek Kierans-owned bay led from over two furlongs out and was ridden approaching the final furlong. Keeping on strongly, he won by four lengths, with an impressive bumper winner taking second and a dual winner in third.

“He looks a proper horse,” McConnell said after the race. “This was an important one as we thought he was very good. He's done everything right at home along the way and the race wouldn't have been run to suit with a slow pace all the way. He's going to be a nice jumper in time.”

McConnell added that the four-year-old will remain in bumpers this season. The son of Mahler was bred by M O’Keeffe and is a half-brother to five-time winner Wintered Well (Milan).