GAVIN'S JOY AT MASON RETURN

Karl Hedley casts an eye over the rising stars across the water in lreland

- Karl Hedley

With the new year upon us, many horses will be heading towards their prep races for upcoming festivals including the Dublin Racing Festival in February and of course Cheltenham in March.

I have selected a number of individual runners who will likely be engaged in these future meetings and who showed potential going forward into 2025.

La Malmason made a transformational seasonal reappearance at the beginning of the month as Gavin Cromwell's mare effortlessly landed Fairyhouse's opening Handicap Chase over two-and-a-half miles, under jockey Keith Donoghue.

Pulled up on her previous start at Gowran last March, the 131-rated six-year-old was held up in rear-division today. She travelled strongly into contention and won easily by four lengths from Nine Graces.

Trainer Cromwell commented: "She was very good although we were clutching at straws with her but she had kissing spine surgery during the summer and it's obviously done the trick: she had been making a lot of mistakes last year so we got her checked out at the end of the season.

"I was a little bit concerned the ground wouldn't be slow enough as she'd appreciate softer going and will definitely get further." He added "I'm delighted with the way she jumped today, Keith said when he jumped the first he knew she was a different mare so hopefully she can kick on from here. I haven't looked beyond today, this was the plan although I couldn't rule out the Thyestes or an Irish National." History Of Fashion improved on last year's runner-up effort to land this year's renewal of a subsequent handicap Chase, crediting successful jockey Harry Sexton with a career highlight.