Champagne Mahler

This is obviously competitive, and there are a few horses in here who, most notably Hgranca De Thaix and Whiskeywealth, if they returned to their best, could run big races.  But the case for Champagne Mahler is solid, and it is worthwhile backing him at the price.

Henry de Bromhead’s horse hasn’t won yet over fences, but he has raced just four times over the larger obstacles, and he is getting there.  He put up a promising performance on his chasing bow at Tipperary last April, when he finished third behind subsequent Galway Plate winner Pinkerton.  He didn’t build on that in his first two runs this season, but he was much better last time, when he stayed on well to finish second behind Don’t Talk in a handIcap chase at Fairyhouse.  The third horse from that race, Soloman Lane, came out and ran a big race in defeat at Gowran two weeks ago.

The handicapper raised Champagne Mahler by 2lb for that, which was fair.  It takes him up to a mark of 114, which is just 1lb higher than his hurdles mark.  He goes well on soft ground, and he is one for one at Gowran, he won a handicap hurdle on Thyestes Chase day there last year.  He should go well.

CHAMPAGNE MAHLER WON (ADV 9/2, SP 7/2)