McConnell pleased with novice hurdlers at Cheltenham Trainer John McConnell was in the winners' enclosure at Downpatrick yesterday after Andys Flame landed the handicap hurdle under Simon Torrens and had an update on two of his charges who ran creditably in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Bardenstown Lad, victorious in four of his first five starts over flights, finished less than ten lengths behind winner The Nice Guy in third place which was the same finishing position that stable companion Streets Of Doyen achieved in last year's renewal of the three-mile contest. "He ran a cracker, he just hit a flat spot at the wrong time and flew home," said McConnell. "He'll go to Punchestown now and we might put cheekpieces on him to see if we can iron out that flat spot." Mahler Mission, sent off at 66/1 despite winning a Grade 2 at Doncaster on his previous outing, finished seventh and also pleased his trainer. "He ran a cracker as well. He probably wants the ground a little bit easier. "He might go to Punchestown or Perth." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
