JOHN McConnell is plotting a return to the Cheltenham Festival with stable star Seddon, who was handed an entry for the Ryanair Chase this week but will also have handicap options at the meeting.

The Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate’s 11-year-old was one of the standout stories of the 2022/’23 season, progressing from defeat in a Cartmel handicap hurdle in August 2022 to register wins at Cheltenham in October, Leopardstown in December and the Magners Plate at the Cheltenham Festival.

His remarkable campaign ended with a valuable handicap hurdle strike at the Punchestown Festival, and he was last seen finishing third in the American Grand National at Far Hills on October 21st.

That stateside trip has taken a little time for the versatile veteran to fully recover from, but his trainer is beginning to contemplate a prep run next month for the popular performer.

McConnell told The Irish Field: “We gave him a break after the trip to America because we felt it took a bit out of him. He’s back cantering away now. There was a possibility he could run at Christmas but he wasn’t ready.

“If he pleases us and things go according to plan, I’d say he’ll run before Cheltenham, possibly at the Dublin Racing Festival or somewhere easier. The fact he’s a veteran opens up more races for him too.

“The Ryanair was closing the other day and we gave him an entry because it isn’t always a big field. It would be a big thrill for everyone to have a runner in it. We wouldn’t go there unless we thought he was in top form, but if he arrived there at the peak of his powers he certainly wouldn’t be disgraced in it. The Plate and the Coral Cup are other options for him at the meeting.”

Mahler target

McConnell’s Coral Gold Cup runner-up Mahler Mission also has a big-race aim in the shape of the Randox Grand National. The classy chaser will not be rushed to that target if failing to fully please connections in his preparation, however, having subsequently felt the effects of his Newbury showing.

Priced up as 16/1 co-favourite for Aintree with William Hill, the talented eight-year-old lost both of his front shoes during his latest second to Datsalrightgino.

McConnell said: “He wasn’t 100% after Newbury. Losing his shoes didn’t help and he was sore. He’s back and sound now, everything is good with him. I toyed with putting him in the Gold Cup but decided against it. The National would be the target but it’s all very much if we can get there.

“I want to examine the race conditions further but I’d ideally like to run him over hurdles in March before going straight there, if everything went smoothly. If he’s not right, we’ll finish up with him for the season because he’s still a young horse and is very talented. These horses are few and far between so we’ll mind him, but hopefully we’ll be in business to go.”