Son Of Mahler Impresses In Haydock Grade 2

Gwennie May Boy (7g Mahler – Samsha, by Robin Des Pres) produced perhaps a career-best performance to gain his second graded success in Saturday’s Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle.

The Gwendoline Clarke-owned gelding won all three of his starts for Dan Skelton last season, culminating in Grade 3 success at Aintree, but faced a stiffer challenge at Haydock on Saturday. Partnered by Charlie Todd, the bay began to make headway after the third last and was shaken up to lead by the next flight. Ridden clear before the last, he went on to score by seven and a half lengths. The favourite, a dual Grade 3 winner, finished second, six lengths clear of the third.

Speaking after the race, the owner’s son Nick said: “It's been an incredible journey with him. Mum said if she survived Covid, she wanted to buy a racehorse and he was the first one she bought. He won at 80-1 on his debut at Bangor and has been fantastic ever since.

Looking ahead, he continued: “There was talk of sticking to last year's plan of Uttoxeter and then Aintree, but we might have to start thinking about Cheltenham.”

The performance saw Gwennie May Boy halve in price for the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. The progressive son of Beeches Stud sire Mahler was bred by Ms Joyce Marsh.