Champagne Mahler lands Gowran feature

Henry de Bromhead heads into next week’s Cheltenham Festival with his team back in decent form and Champagne Mahler further bolstered confidence when landing the €45,000 Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran. Hgranca De Thaix set a strong early pace before dropping away after halfway and Champagne Mahler struck the front early in the straight of this two-mile feature race.

Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount stayed on strongly to draw clear on the run-in for an eight lengths verdict over Rebel Gold Miss Pronunciation was a further five and a half lengths back in third, while 15/8 favourite One Last Tango was dismounted after pulling up before the final fence.

De Bromhead said of the 7/2 winner, “I’m delighted with that, Darragh was brilliant on him and he was tough out. It’s a lovely prize to win.

“The horses are starting to run a bit better now which is great. We had a frustrating six weeks, but they are coming through it.

“He loves that ground. He won a handicap hurdle here on Thyestes day last year and we always hoped he would be a better chaser.”