VROUM Vroum Mag could be in line to deputise for her illustrious stable-mate Annie Power in Cheltenham’s Mares Hurdle if the latter doesn’t make the line-up. That was the thoughts of their handler Willie Mullins at Clonmel after the French-bred had maintained her unbeaten record for the trainer at the unprecedented odds of 1/16.
Susannah Ricci’s exciting six-year-old was never out of the first two under Ruby Walsh in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle, taking command on the descent to the straight.
Clear of her four rivals at the final obstacle she cruised home on a tight rein by three lengths from Mrs Mac Veale.
As Mullins said: “She did what we were hoping she’d do and could go down that path if things presented themselves. This was just an opportunity and we took it. She’s in a mares’ race at Huntingdon but that might come up too soon.”
Asked whether Vroum Vroum Mag would be good enough to take Annie Power’s place in the mares hurdle at Cheltenham the master of Closutton replied: “On her chase form she’d be good enough to compete and it’s at the back of our mind rather than taking on Grade 1 horses over fences.”
Stable-companion Bello Conti, owned by Gigginstown House Stud initiated a double for the Mullins camp by running out the smooth seven and a half-length winner for jockey Bryan Cooper of the opening Clonmel Maiden Hurdle.
The 8/13 favourite took it up on the approach to the turn-in and, despite diving a little at the final flight, was untroubled to collect on his Irish debut.
Mullins commented: “He’s a nice horse who’ll easily go up in trip. He’s probably a staying hurdler and I’ll find a contest for him in the New Year. He’s a decent recruit.”
The trainer’s hopes of making it a treble on this truncated card via the 2/5 favourite A Toi Phil in the amateur maiden hurdle went out the window shortly after the race had got underway when the hot-pot followed the front-running Sizing Alberta by running off the first bend.
Rider Patrick Mullins stated at the subsequent stewards’ inquiry that his mount was carried out and then also cocked his jaw and ran out while Sizing Alberta’s jockey Jamie Codd explained that the five-year-old cocked his jaw and veered left before rejoining the race and finishing fifth.
Paper Lantern was also carried wide in the incident and brought to a virtual standstill before recovering to finish third. Clerk of the course Lorcan Wyer stated that the start was positioned where it was to ensure that the race was run over the correct distance. The stewards noted the explanations offered and took no further action.
The race was won by Fermoy-based owner/trainer Edmond Kent with his 33/1 outsider For Freddie who jumped the penultimate hurdle in front, with Eoin O’Brien in the saddle, on his way to a three and three-quarters of a length win over the long-time leader Lets High Five It.
“I thought he’d need the run because he’s been off for a while,” said Kent. “But the race turned out funny with the bit of a schmozzle at the start. He’s a very well-bred horse out of the 1999 Cheltenham winner Generosa and he’s her second foal. The only other one Liskennett, was second in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle. He’s had a bit of trouble in his career so far but if he stays sound we’ll have a bit of fun with him and he might jump a fence before the winter is out.”
Outofcologne, who was formerly with Philip Rothwell, made her first start for Liz Doyle a successful one when lasting it out by half a length from Summers King in the Powerstown 80-102 Handicap Hurdle under front-running tactics from Sean Flanagan.
Owned by Oliver Ryan from Mullingar and fitted with a first-time hood and tongue tie, the 12/1 scorer held on gamely.
Her trainer reflected: “She’s a nice mare to get. Philip’s horses obviously weren’t 100 % last year so I wanted to try something different off her mark and on horrendous ground, being in front was the best place to be with a mare who can be a bit keen. I love sorting these tricky ones out and it’s nice to get a new owner.”
The hurdle track was run on fresh ground and, with the two chases on the card being scrapped due to 10 millilitres of rain overnight, the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle brought the curtain down on Clonmel’s year with a second winner of the week for Athenry trainer Val O’Brien courtesy of the 9/4 favourite Ice Cool.
Carrying the colours of his brother Sean,the six-year-old was in the first two throughout under Donagh Meyler and had the measure of Mr Jaggers at the line.
The winning handler observed: “He’s a nice horse who jumps well and he’ll make a nice chaser. He’ll stay over hurdles this season and might strike while the iron is hot by going back to two miles at Punchestown.”
ACTING STEWARDS
S. McDonogh, P. Coveney, N.P. Lambert, P.W. Murtagh
HORSE TO FOLLOW
PAPER LANTERN (K. Thornton): He deserves another chance after losing considerable ground at the start of the amateur maiden hurdle when carried wide. Recovering the deficit to take third place he should be able to get his turn.
First prize
DONAGH Meyler picked up the first prize of a €1,000 cheque for winning the John T. Purcell Memorial Trophy for the leading claiming NH professional at Clonmel in 2015.