Progressive Son Of Mahler Captures Grade 3 Chase

The improving Canelo (7g Mahler - Nobody’s Darling, by Supreme Leader) produced a career-best performance to take the Grade 3 Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby.

Returning to three miles on Saturday, the Alan King-trained chesnut raced in midfield under Tom Bellamy and improved to track the leaders from five out. Leading approaching the third last, he was pushed along from the penultimate fence and kept on well on the run-in to hold off the favourite by three parts of a length.

Speaking after the race, the winning jockey said, “Canelo’s really stepped up this season and held his form. His jumping is brilliant and I'd like to think he can improve further.”

The JP McManus-owned winner is now two from four this season and finished second in a Class 2 contest last time out. The son of Mahler was bred by Brett Merry.