McConnell mapping Cheltenham Mission for Mahler
National Hunt Chase plan for Navan winner.
John McConnell’s Mahler Mission has the Cheltenham Festival in his sights after an impressive Navan success. The seven-year-old was a high-quality hurdler and made the transition to chasing this season, starting off at Cheltenham before finishing third in a Punchestown contest on New Year’s Eve. At Navan on Saturday he lined up for a three-mile beginners’ chase and demonstrated his potential when jumping fluently and sauntering to an unchallenged 10-length victory under Ben Harvey. “We were delighted but we weren’t surprised. We thought he’d come forward from his run at Punchestown last time and we rode him a bit more confidently this time and it paid off,” said McConnell.Mahler Mission pic.twitter.com/9XTPHClW4u
— Irishracing.com Live (@IrishRacing365) January 21, 2023
He’s jumped for fun! 😃
Mahler Mission takes the Wilkinstown Beginners Chase 🥇#ITVRacing | @NavanRacecourse | @McConnellRacing pic.twitter.com/XVm6YGPPG2 — ITV Racing (@itvracing) January 21, 2023
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Horse Racing
Hugos New Horse continues winning spree with four-timer
Sandown’s EBF Final in March on the agenda.
-
Horse Racing
Dysart Enos floors Queens Gamble in smart Market Rasen bumper
But Cheltenham not on the agenda for Fergal O’Brien’s highly promising winner.
-
Horse Racing
‘Fresh and well’ Conflated poised to make his mark in Gold Cup
‘We all have to beat Galopin Des Champs, but I think we’re in the mix’.
-
Horse Racing
Marie’s Rock options open, with Festival picture ‘changing daily’
‘Mouthwatering’ Mares’ Hurdle clash with Honeysuckle possible, but so is Stayers’ Hurdle.
-
Horse Racing
Elliott willing Kennedy to be fit for Cheltenham – but Russell remains able deputy
‘It’ll be tight and he knows that – it’ll be down to the wire’.
-
Horse Racing
Gordon Elliott fears consequences of new whip rules could be ‘frightening’
Trainer worried there could be a shortage of jockeys at major meetings.
-
Horse Racing
Zanahiyr faces losing third place in last season’s Champion Hurdle
Gordon Elliott runner tested positive for a prohibited substance in March.
-
Horse Racing
Jamie Moore relatively unscathed following Fontwell fall
But rider will have to watch weekend action from the sidelines.
-
Horse Racing
Green Brook set to head straight for Pertemps challenge
Next stop Cheltenham for Venetia Williams-trained six-year-old.
-
Horse Racing
Dettori banking on Country Grammer in Saudi Cup
Last year’s runner-up looked as good as ever on his return.