Mahler has Grand National Mission in his sights Mahler Mission is reported in good form by John McConnell and the Stamullen trainer is aiming his charge at the Randox Grand National. The eight-year-old gelding took well to fences last season and was making a bold bid from the front when falling two out in the National Hunt Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The son of Mahler went close to gaining a fifth career win with a career best last time beating all bar Datsalrightgino in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury. “It was well documented that he lost both front shoes at Newbury which wouldn’t have helped, and he was fairly sore afterwards. I’m not saying that he would have won but it was a great run,” said McConnell. “He’s had a break and is back in work now and it’s a case of so far so good,” he added. “We are looking at the National although I’m not sure how we get there. He won’t be going to Cheltenham. He has an Irish rating of 155 now so he’ll definitely get into the race.”
