Mag switches to hurdles at Clonmel

Willie Mullins is looking forward to putting Vroum Vroum Mag back over smaller obstacles as she has her first run over hurdles since leaving her native France at Clonmel's rearranged meeting this afternoon.

The six-year-old is on a run of successive victories over fences since joining Ireland's champion trainer and bids to keep her winning spree going in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle.

Mullins said: "I think she was Rich's (Ricci, owner) top money-earner in Ireland last year and I'll try and keep her that way again this year - we've time enough to go against geldings next year.

"We're not lacking in the staying division over fences.

"I'd like to know how good she is, as well. She's a bit like Don Poli, I think, as we haven't ever seen her under pressure.

"When Ruby (Walsh) gives her a squeeze and she puts in one of those jumps at the third- or fourth-last, then the whole thing is over, she puts it all to bed.

"When she picks up a gear she's gone. That's against mares so it would be interesting to see what she could do against geldings but I'm not rushing that day yet.

"She could be a World Hurdle type or one for the Mares' Hurdle but a lot of her ability is in her jumping, too - remember how well she jumps a fence."

Vroum Vroum Mag won on her seasonal reappearance at the County Tipperary venue last month, in a Grade Three mares' chase over two and a half miles, and steps back in trip to an extended two miles.

She is likely to be long odds-on to maintain her winning sequence as she is being taken on by only four rivals, who, on paper, are vastly inferior.

Taking up the challenge are Ken Budds' Kates Benefit Gavin Dower's Mrs Mac Veale the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Dragon Fei and Thanks For Tea from Edmond Kent's yard.