21st-Jan-2023

This is the most interesting race of the day, made all the more interesting by the fact that Paul Townend is riding Aione instead of likely favourite Tenzing.  The champion jockey rode Ramillies in front of Tenzing at Thurles last time, and he chose correctly, so you have to respect Aione.

You also have to respect Shantreusse, he was a classy hurdler, but Mahler Mission was just a head behind Shantreusse at Punchestown last time when they were both beaten by Must Be Obeyed, and I think that John McConnell’s horse is the value of the race.

That was Mahler Mission’s first run back after a short break, after his chasing debut in a strangely-run three-horse race at Cheltenham, so he should progress from that.  And there is room for improvement in his jumping.

But he has a great attitude, as he showed when he won the Grade 2 River Don Hurdle at Doncaster last February, when he battled on well to beat The Real Whacker, the pair of them clear.  The Real Whacker was a good winner of the Dipper Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, and he holds an entry in the Gold Cup.

Mahler Mission goes well on soft ground and he stays three miles well, and he should be shorter in the betting than he is in my book.

MAHLER MISSION WON (ADV 9/2, SP 100/30)