Mahler Mission heads McConnell Cheltenham raiding party

John McConnell is assembling a significant challenge for the upcoming Cheltenham Festival headed by useful staying novice chaser Mahler Mission.

The seven-year-old gelding is as short as 6/1 for the National Hunt Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase having won over three miles at Navan last month and went close to following up over the same course and distance recently in the Grade 2 William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase.

“He’s come out of his latest run fine and he looks really well after it. He ran a cracker and we look forward to going to Cheltenham with him,” McConnell told Racing TV.

The upwardly mobile dual purpose Stamullen trainer, who saddled a best ever tally of 34 winners on the Flat last year and has already sent out a combined total of 38 wins over jumps in the UK and Ireland this season, also outlined plans for other members of his team being aiming at Prestbury Park next month.

“Anna Bunina will go for one of the handicaps while Seddon has been a revelation and will go for either a handicap chase or a handicap hurdle. Hereditary Rule (a four-time winner last year) is another that will go over for a handicap chase.

“We have a couple of entries in the Triumph. Jackpot De Choisel won impressively in Ayr and he will run again and be qualified for the Fred Winter, while Hypotenus hasn’t run yet be is starting to get there.

“We bought him in France and he will probably run in the Grade 3 at Fairyhouse (next Saturday, February 25) so that will tell us if he’s going to go.

“We are not sure where Fennor Cross will go yet.”