The Grand National trends-buster: joint-favourite Mahler Mission will bid to defy stats and head to Aintree without a run this year
Mahler Mission will bid to defy the stats and become the first horse this century to land the Grand National without a prep run in the same year as trainer John McConnell has elected to keep his second-season chaser fresh for a target that has been over a year in the planning.
The eight-year-old is a general 16-1 shot for the Aintree showpiece on April 13 and is currently vying for favouritism with the first two home from last season's running, Corach Rambler and Vanillier.
Should Mahler Mission rock up at Aintree, he will bid to defy a 128-day gap given he was last seen finishing a gallant runner-up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury on December 2.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on 8 February 2024inGrand National festival
Last updated 19:57, 8 February 2024
Copy- 'They had no chance and kept others out' - Davy Russell believes qualifying races for the Grand National should be introduced
- Bookmakers report Grand National turnover as 'flat' compared with last year
- 'It's a different feeling, it's unique, it's the Grand National' - Aintree hero I Am Maximus gets a huge homecoming welcome
- 'It's going to be hard to get off this high' - David Maxwell dreaming of Aintree return following Grand National sixth
- 'We knew this would be the case' - earlier start time behind drop in viewing figures for Grand National says ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin
- 'They had no chance and kept others out' - Davy Russell believes qualifying races for the Grand National should be introduced
- Bookmakers report Grand National turnover as 'flat' compared with last year
- 'It's a different feeling, it's unique, it's the Grand National' - Aintree hero I Am Maximus gets a huge homecoming welcome
- 'It's going to be hard to get off this high' - David Maxwell dreaming of Aintree return following Grand National sixth
- 'We knew this would be the case' - earlier start time behind drop in viewing figures for Grand National says ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin