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John McConnell’s exciting second-season chaser Mahler Mission looks set to make his reappearance in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on Sunday.
The seven-year-old Grade 2-winning hurdler finished a well-beaten second on his chasing debut at Cheltenham last October but went on to prove a model of consistency over fences, filling the frame either side of his impressive ten-length beginners' chase success at Navan in January.
The John McConnell-trained gelding looked to hold every chance of doubling his tally over fences in the Grade 2 National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but the son of Mahler fell at the second last when still holding a healthy advantage.
Carlisle's Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase has produced some classy winners over the years and McConnell believes the Cumbria venue should prove the ideal starting point.
McConnell said: "Carlisle is our first choice and that looks like where we are going to go. It was a big disappointment at Cheltenham, but he showed enough there to suggest that we have a very good horse on our hands.
"It was just a case of getting him right, and he has had a nice summer off. He is in good form, and we are very happy with him.
"He seems like he is his old self and, touch wood, he hasn't had any problems at all. Everything is on course to start on Sunday.
"He is probably a little bit stronger again this season as he was always a big frame of a horse, and he is starting to fill out now. He looks as good as he has ever looked and if that shows on the track it will be exciting."
Although Mahler Mission's latest assignment will represent a sharp drop in trip, McConnell is confident the seven-year-old his charge has the speed to cope with the test he faces at Carlisle on Sunday.
He added: "The track should play to his strengths, and it is a good starting point for the season. I don't think he is that slow either, even though he stays. They are lovely fences at Carlisle, so it is the perfect starting point for him.
Looking beyond Sunday's assignment, a trip to Newbury for the Coral Gold Cup could be on the cards should things go to plan this weekend.
"We have got him entered in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and if things go well here, we will look at that race afterwards.
"He has done very little wrong, to be honest. He took to fences well last season and hopefully, he can keep progressing more this season.
"Anything he was doing over hurdles was a bonus and hopefully he can that momentum he got going last season. He is an exciting horse to look forward to."