Son Of Mahler One To Watch Over Fences

The Real Whacker (6g Mahler - Credit Box, by Witness Box) appears to have a bright future over fences, after making a winning chase debut at Cheltenham on Sunday.

The Patrick Neville-trained bay won a maiden hurdle in fine style last season, before chasing home Mahler Mission (Mahler) in a Grade 2. He faced a pair of Grade 1 performers in Sunday’s three mile test and was ridden to make all by Gavin Sheehan. Ridden when joined at the second last, he regained the advantage in the final 110 yards and kept on to win by three parts of a length, with the front pair finishing clear of the field.

“The Real Whacker is a smashing horse and we've always loved him,” the winning trainer said. “Fences are his game. He's gorgeous and would probably be better on softer ground. Gavin Sheehan was brilliant on him and his jumping was outstanding.”

Owned by his trainer with Mann, Duffus and Dennis, The Real Whacker was bred by Mrs Bernadette Keane.