Mahler's potential redemption mission at Punchestown

In the Grand National, McConnell unseated his rider at the Chair.

If John McConnell's Mahler Mission recovers from his Randox Grand National mishap well, he may make it to the Punchestown Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old, who had placed second in the Colin Parker at Carlisle and the Coral Gold Cup earlier in the term, was starting at 18-1 to win the most prestigious steeplechase in the world under Ben Harvey.

Although he was unlucky, he showed his endurance by collapsing at the finish line of the three-mile, six-furlong National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last season.

This endurance was about to be tested at Aintree, but once again, misfortune betrayed Mahler Mission when he came too close to The Chair and unseated his rider upon landing.

After that, the horse raced wild for the remainder of the competition and, amazingly, finished second without a riding. Fortunately, he was unharmed.

If all goes according to plan after the trip to Liverpool, he will continue to play into the spring, with Punchestown at the top of his priority list and a possible trip to France.

“He’s got a few scratches and knocks but he’s fine, he’s all good,” said McConnell.

“It’s a frustrating thing to happen but he came back in one piece and that’s the most important thing.”

 McConnell stated: “It was a bit stressful (when he was loose) but when he got to the front he was fine, he was bounding away and seemed to enjoy it so we might go back”.

“Everything’s up in the air and if he didn’t run again this season it wouldn’t be a big deal and we’d just make a plan for next season, but at the minute Punchestown is on the agenda if everything’s OK.”