Mag cruises to Grade 2 victory Vroum Vroum Mag cruised home for a facile victory in the Coolmore NH Sires Mares Novice Chase at Thurles. The Willie Mullins-trained French-bred was sent to post a 1/2 shot to make it three from three in Ireland and landed the odds with the minimum of fuss. Ruby Walsh took closer order up the back straight on the hotpot and she jumped into the lead four from home. The only slight scare came two out as she got in a bit close but she was in total control before the last and was left clear by the fall of nearest pursuer Jennies Jewel. Elsie was left to come home second, 26 lengths behind, in the Grade 2 contest. "She gave me a fright at the second last and jumped the first a bit big but otherwise was foot-perfect," said Mullins "The race was run in a storm and I pitied the jockeys. Rain would have been coming in their faces at the fourth and third last fences and it was a good performance to win and every question she has been asked, she has answered. "She's entered in the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham and will be entered in the novice chases but I'll have a look at the mares' chase programme first and she may stay at home instead and run in a Graded chase at Limerick on St Patrick's Day instead." Walsh told Attheraces: "I gave her a kick at the fourth last and third last and I probably shouldn't have as I left myself very long at the second last which is down hill. "I let her in to fiddle and she just nudged the top but she's so much horse she got her front two ones out real quick and the biggest danger was me falling over her tail." It was a double on the card for Mullins and Walsh following the earlier victory of Measureofmydreams and as measure of compensation for connections after the fall of Champagne Fever in the same Rich Ricci colours. (Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
