Former Willie Mullins Cheltenham favourite dubbed ‘The Machine’ backed for Festival glory ahead of huge return
A FORMER Willie Mullins Cheltenham favourite dubbed 'The Machine' is being backed for Festival glory ahead of her long-awaited return.
Maughreen was favourite for last year's Champion Bumper before a number of setbacks scuppered her chances.
She still has just one bumper win to her name - but it appears a comeback over hurdles is nearing.
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Maughreen comes from fine stock, with her dam a half-sister to the real 'Machine', former Champion Hurdle king Faugheen.
Owned by the Closutton Racing Club, Maughreen is as short as 9-2 for the always ultra-competitive Mares' Novice Hurdle, a race Mullins won from 2016-2020.
Sky Sports Racing host Alex Hammond, who owns a part of the horse, put her up as one of her three to follow for this season.
She said: "She may have been forgotten about - lovely Maughreen.
"She has a fantastic pedigree, her dam is a half-sister to Faugheen.
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"She's a really big mare and the fact she couldn't go on off after she won that bumper has done her the world of good.
"She's big and she won that bumper in really good style - the sky was the limit.
"She was favourite for the Champion Bumper, has had the time she needs, she's ante-post fav for the Mares' Novice Hurdle and she's not even jumped a hurdle in public.
"I'm really hopeful we're going to have some fun with her, she's a super mare."
She still doesn't have any upcoming entries - but Closutton Racing Club manager James Fenton gave a positive update.
He said: "Paul Townend has done a lot of schooling on her and she jumps very well.
"When we break in horses at home, we do a lot of loose schooling and she was always a very natural jumper.
"She pricks her ears a couple of strides before a hurdle and takes it on and gets down nice and low.
"We just need the right race and right ground for her now and she's all set.
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"Plenty of winners came out of her Punchestown bumper and the form is turning out to be competitive.
"We just don't know how good she is but she's showing plenty and her schooling has been very professional."
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