Six straight wins and two notable form boosts - Adrian Keatley sets Grade 2 Cheltenham target for Galway scorer Gale Mahler

Adrian Keatley is excited to take the next step up with his summer revelation Gale Mahler, who will bid for a seventh straight win in the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Cheltenham next Friday.

The five-year-old mare kicked off her winning run when successful on her second start in a bumper at Southwell in May and followed up at Kelso that month.

Gale Mahler, owned by Jimmy Fyffe, subsequently went hurdling and racked up four more victories in June and July, culminating in a Listed success at the Galway festival in July. She has been partnered by Henry Brooke for all six wins.

Her form is working out nicely, with her Uttoxeter success in June franked by the runner-up Flying Fortune landing the Persian War at Chepstow last week, while Gaucher, who was fourth behind her at Galway, has since struck at Grade 3 level.

The Sky Bet Novices’ Hurdle – registered as the Sharp Novices’ Hurdle – is her next target, with the feature on Cheltenham’s first raceday since the spring boasting an honour roll including Altior, Slate House and I Like To Move It in the last decade.

Keatley, who trains eight jumps horses at his Malton yard, said: “Her form is stacking up and we’re hoping to start her back at Cheltenham next week.

“She’s a good mare, keeps it all very simple and gets on with her job when she gets to the track. She’s a pleasure to have and mares like her are hard to come by.”

Gale Mahler: has Grade 2 target at Cheltenham next weekCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Gale Mahler is a best-price 25-1 chance for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March and Keatley feels there will be plenty of nice races to consider for her campaign, including the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle at the same track next month.

“I feel there’s plenty more to come from her,” said Keatley. “She rattled off all those wins in quick enough succession so we’re fairly hopeful she will have improved for the break.

“She’s a novice for the rest of the season and we may consider the Greatwood in November. There’s plenty of options for her.”

Keatley, who won the Irish 1,000 Guineas with Jet Setting in 2016, will bid for a first jumps winner at Kempton on Sunday. He intends to run Ebor second Kihavah in the Listed 2m hurdle and recent Sedgefield scorer Model Approach in the 2m juvenile hurdle.

He said: “I’m hoping the ground stays good for Kihavah and he’s flying at the moment – he seems to be getting better with age. Model Approach did it nicely last time and should have more to come.”

Read more . . .

'She's not your typical mare' - Gale Mahler bound for Galway after completing fabulous five-timer  

'It was tough but now I'm in a good place' - Paul Nicholls raring to go with the next generation 

'We'll give it a real good go' - Paul Nicholls keen to support Harry Cobden and Freddie Gingell in respective title bids 

Pick up your copy of The Big Jump Off, packed with everything you need for the 2024-25 National Hunt season. Our 72-page supplement includes ante-post tips, pro punter insight, trainer and jockey analysis and much more. Grab your copy free in the Racing Post newspaper on Monday, October 21, also available via the Racing Post Digital Newspaper as part of Members' Club Ultimate, our unrivalled subscription package.