McConnell has options open with Mahler Mission this season Mahler Mission could get his campaign underway in the He’llberemembered Hurdle at Thurles next Thursday with trainer John McConnell eyeing another trip to France with his classy stayer. The eight-year-old gelding ran a cracker in the valuable Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury last season when beating all bar Datsalrightgino. He was subsequently sent off an 18/1 chance when unseating regular partner Ben Harvey at the Chair in the Randox Grand National before switching to hurdles at Auteuil when a highly creditable fourth in the 3m1f Grade 1 Racing TV Grande Course de Haies. “Ground permitting he might run at Thurles next week in a hurdle and his first target is going back to France for a Grade 1 hurdle in November,” said McConnell. “It’s a similar race to the one he was fourth in back in May. “It depends on what happens in France as to what direction he will go this season. If he was to win then the Stayers Hurdle becomes an option but we certainly haven’t ruled out going for the Grand National again. “I actually watched it again recently and he was jumping great to the Canal Turn and then he got hampered and things went wrong after that. “I wouldn’t mind having another crack at it and the Becher Chase could be a possibility as well.” The Stamullen trainer brings Intense Approach over to Chepstow this afternoon for the Grade 2 Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle. The five-year-old gelding is on a hat-trick after impressive wins at Downpatrick and Kelso with Harry Cobden booked in this extended 2m3f event. “He’s in great form. He still has a bit to go with the jumping but he’s getting there, and it looks like a good opportunity to step him up in grade,” said McConnell.
