Mahler Mission © Photo Healy Racing
John McConnell's talented staying chaser Mahler Mission is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a view to him returning next autumn.
He memorably blazed a trail in the Grade 2 National Hunt Chase at last year's Cheltenham Festival before departing at the second-last fence.
Since then, runner-up berths have been banked in Listed class at Carlisle and in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury almost a year ago.
He then unseated in the Aintree Grand National and was last seen finishing fourth in a Grade 1 hurdle at Auteuil in May.
McConnell said: “Mahler Mission is out for the season. We’ve had a couple of little niggles, he’s had a bit of suspensory trouble.
“We’ll mind him and he’s still only a young horse, so hopefully we’ll have him back this time next year.
“He’s been delicate all along and we’re suspicious he did it in France as it was quick ground there.
“When he came back from France, he had a break and it came out when we gave him a gallop in Navan one day.
“He’s a big one to lose, but he’s still only eight and has low mileage.
“I put him in the Becher (Chase, Aintree) before he got injured as he was very unlucky in the Grand National where he jumped lovely and then got murdered at the Canal Turn. It all went downhill after that.
“I still have my eye on the National, but we’ll have to wait another year.”
The trainer also gave an update on former American Grand National third Seddon.
“Seddon will probably run at Thurles on Thursday (in Listed chase over 2m6f). We’ll see how he takes to the jumping again, he said.
“He’s in great nick, so hopefully he takes to it.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
