OLBG MARES HURDLE

(GRADE 1)

SHE looked the class act of the race beforehand and Vroum Vroum Mag won like it to put the seal on another landmark day at Cheltenham for the Mullins-Walsh-Ricci axis in the OLBG Mares Hurdle.

On an afternoon when mares really did come to the fore Vroum Vroum Mag was far too strong for her rivals as she gave her trainer an eighth straight victory in this contest.

Now unbeaten in nine outings and still totally unexposed over either hurdles or fences, the 4/6 shot could well become a regular fixture in this contest but such is the range of her talents that she could easily turn her hand to a variety of other disciplines.

Initially, Walsh was quite happy to bide his time towards the rear of the field but it was all looking quite ominous for Vroum Vroum Mag’s rivals when she began to scythe through the 19 runners field after the fifth last. Even at this stage she was conspicuous by the ease with which she was travelling and from this point on she was a menacing presence on the heels of the leaders.

The favourite was then produced to challenge at the second last and then took charge before the last flight. She was driven out to the line to beat Jessica Harrington’s Rock On The Moor by two and three-quarter lengths. The placings were completed by Stuart Crawford’s Legacy Gold, who had the unenviable task of chasing home Annie Power at Punchestown on her last start.

“This mare’s work last week was awesome. When she did it myself, Patrick (Mullins) and David Casey were looking at each other wondering had we supplemented the wrong mare for the Champion Hurdle. My only worry was had she left her race behind her after that bit of work,” reported Mullins.

“She was just cruising all the way there. It was just a matter of jumping and not getting into traffic. She put the race to bed well. Maybe she could come back here for this again next year.

“She’s a mare that keeps working better than you think. You think you might be looking at a 150-rated chaser but she just keeps coming forward, she’s a very relaxed mare at home.”