The Real Whacker: first Grade 2 winner for trainer Patrick Neville
THE REAL WHACKER (Mahler) made it two from two over fences to hand trainer Patrick Neville the first Grade 2 victory of his career in the Paddy Power Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham today.
Having made all to make a winning chase debut over an extended three miles at Cheltenham in November, today was very a case of more of the same as the 10-1 chance again made all to come home three and a quarter lengths to the good over 13-8 Favourite Monmiral.
Neville said: “I’ve minded him as I know he is a good one. If he was in a bigger yard he would have got lost. He is a big frame and he is still babyish. It is brilliant. For some strange reason I’m on my own here today with one owner and there are four owners.
“I was thinking in my head that the horse had improved for his last run and I knew he had improved at home. I took my time with him and I saw this race and said we will go for it and make it a test of jumping. This horse is progressing and is on the up, hopefully he will be a Grade One winner soon!”
David Mann, part owner, said: “I was working until 3am this morning then I got a 6.15am flight over to Bristol. I didn’t get to bed – I just flew in. I had a beer and said keep yourself awake.
“We were here at the November meeting but this was a big upgrade and a big step up against the big boys. It is great for Paddy Neville, who is where I come from back home in Ireland as well. It is great that me and Paddy and the other boys involved in the horse can mix it with the best.”
The Real Whacker was bought by Neville at the Goffs Land Rover in 2019 for €21,000. The seven-year-old gelding is out of the dual-winning Witness Box mare Credit Box, both bred by Mrs Bernadette Keane.