Review clonmel 22nd Dec

Classy chaser Vroum Vroum Mag made a seamless switch to the smaller obstacles in the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Hurdle at Clonmel.

Unbeaten since joining Willie Mullins, the 1-16 market leader was never too far from the lead under Ruby Walsh, who sent her on well before the penultimate flight.

Jumping sweetly over a trip short of her optimum, Vroum Vroum Mag didn't have to come out of second gear to stroll three lengths clear of Mrs Mac Veale , with the promise of so much more to come.

Mullins unleashed yet another exciting French import, with Bello Conti impressing on his Irish debut in the Clonmel Maiden Hurdle.

The 8-13 favourite was sent to the front on the long run to two out and although still a bit green and slightly awkward at the final obstacle, he had far too much quality for a good yardstick in the shape of Madfuninthewest , scoring by seven and a half lengths.

A Toi Phil was long odds-on to give Mullins a treble in the Next Meeting Thursday February 4th (Q.R.) (C & G) Maiden Hurdle but blew his chance when running out at the bend shortly after the start.

At the business end, For Freddie (33-1) led two out en route to a three-and-three-quarter-length defeat of Lets High Five It .

Outofcologne (12-1) left all known form a long way behind in the Powerstown Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old had shown precious little on her previous six starts but made every post a winning one on her debut for Liz Doyle and the line came in time as she held off Summers King by half a length.

Leading conditional Donagh Meyler took the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle on Ice Cool (9-4 favourite), but the meeting was reduced to just the five races, with the weather claiming the two scheduled chases.