Smart Double For In-Form Mahler

Thursday saw Captains Nephew (6g Mahler - Drumbug, by Germany) kick off a double for Mahler at Clonmel when outclassing his rivals in the two mile maiden hurdle.

Ridden prominently by Darragh O’Keeffe, Philip Rothwell’s charge asserted with ease before two out and soon drew clear. Pushed out, he led by 18 lengths on the line.

“Philip thought he'd run a good race,” O’Keeffe later revealed. “He jumped and quickened away well.”

Captains Nephew is owned by TJ Doran, having been purchased privately after a narrow defeat on his sole start for Cormac Doyle. The son of Mahler becomes the third winner bred by Brendan Nolan out of Drumbug.

Henry de Bromhead won the card’s Grade 3 feature with Monty’s Star (Walk In The Park) and completed a double when Queen Jane (7m Mahler - And Whatever Else, by Bob Back) made a winning chase debut in the finale.

A maiden hurdle winner last season, the Angus Potterton-owned mare was partnered by Rachael Blackmore in the Beginners Chase over two and a half miles. Held up at the back of the field, she made headway to press the leaders after three out and was shaken up to lead approaching the final fence. Ridden clear on the run-in, she won by nine and a half lengths.

Speaking after the race, de Bromhead said, “She jumped well and really took to the fences. It was a really nice start and hopefully she can progress. Hopefully there will be a nice rated novice for her somewhere next.”

Bred by Robert McCarthy, Queen Jane is a full-sister to three-time winner Imperial Knight (Mahler) and dual winner Magnetic Zero (Mahler).