Talented Son Of Mahler Follows Up In Troytown Chase

The Big Dog (9g Mahler - Saddlers Leader, by Saddlers’ Hall) boosted dreams of Grand National glory when recording back-to-back big race wins in the Troytown Chase at Navan.

Peter Fahey’s stable star captured the Grade A Munster National on last month’s seasonal return and carried top weight in Sunday’s valuable Grade B feature. Ridden prominently by Keith Donoghue, the bay had three lengths to make up on the leader at the final fence and kept on strongly to assert on the run-in. He scored by three and a half lengths going away, with another 15 lengths back to the third.

“Aintree is the dream,” a delighted Keith Donoghue said after the race. “I'd love a go on him in the Grand National and it's a race that would suit him. He's a real stayer and when I got left in front his ears were pricked. He absolutely loved it.”

Owned by Damien and Colin Kelly, The Big Dog boasts earnings in excess of €200,000. The son of Beeches Stud sire Mahler was bred by Kevin Neville.