Mahler Mission and Ben Harvey© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer John McConnell has entries at Cheltenham next week but Liverpool looms large at Rockview Stables and the preparation of Mahler Mission for the Aintree Randox Grand National Handicap Chase on April 13th is reportedly going well.
One of the market-leaders for the extended four and a quarter mile spectacular, Mahler Mission hasn't been seen in public since putting in a huge performance to finish runner-up to the subsequently ill-fated Datsalrightgino in the Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury in early December.
That 'silver medal' was all the more meritorious when one considers that Mahler Mission lost both front shoes in running, and McConnell is now open-minded about how the big build-up will be rounded-off.
"He could still have a prep (race) or a racecourse school maybe," stated the County Meath-based handler.
"We brought him to Leopardstown this week and we were delighted with him, he went really well. That has blown away a few cobwebs and he is fitter than we thought.
"Numerically we have a good few horses, but I suppose monetarily we don't have huge ammo and to be going there with a horse that has a live chance, if he gets there is one piece, is massive.
"I'm trying to get as many people to go as I can because you never know when you are going to have that opportunity again, especially with the race gone to 34 and the ratings pushed up again."
