Best jumper of hurdles can remember seeing in years. Looks like might be same over fences.
Racing Post website: MIKAEL D'HAGUENET delighted trainer Willie Mullins and rider Paul Townend when schooling over a circuit of the course after racing at Punchestown on Sunday.
The star novice hurdler, who was unbeaten in six starts for Mullins in the 2008-2009 season when he won three times at Grade 1 level, could make his debut over Irish fences in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on November 28.
Mikael D'Haguenet schooled with seven stablemates and jumped like an experienced chaser with his trainer and Townend expressing themselves "thrilled "with his display.
Mullins said: "You'd have to be delighted with that. He jumped from fence to fence. He did run second in a chase in France over two years ago before he came to us and while the Drinmore will be a big ask first time over fences for us, it is quite possible that he will run.
Townend said: "I let him go to the front after jumping a couple of fences as the horse leading us wasn't really striding on and he was brilliant. He winged his fences and you'd have to be really pleased."
Starting off in a Grade 1 doesn't exactly float my boat,tbh. They did the same with Cousin Vinny but at least this horse has proven himself to be top class over obstacles beforehand.
Starting off in a Grade 1 doesn't exactly float my boat,tbh. They did the same with Cousin Vinny but at least this horse has proven himself to be top class over obstacles beforehand.
Could be anything but I'd dispute the assertion that he jumos hurdles as well as Inglis Drever or Binocular.They are the two best I have seen in the last 5 years or so.
Exciting prospect and hope he can be as good as that remarkable Cheltenham win suggests he may be.
Could be anything but I'd dispute the assertion that he jumos hurdles as well as Inglis Drever or Binocular.They are the two best I have seen in the last 5 years or so.Exciting prospect and hope he can be as good as that remarkable Cheltenham win sug
Great to see that he's back but he'll need to be against the likes of Jessies Dream and company in whats gonna be a stern Grade 1 contest. Can't wait tho
Great to see that he's back but he'll need to be against the likes of Jessies Dream and company in whats gonna be a stern Grade 1 contest. Can't wait tho
All the big guns stand their ground for the Grade 1's on Sunday - Zaidpour, Mikael, Jessies Dream, Noble Prince, Realt Dubh, Solwhit, Hurricane Fly, Voler La Vedette etc. Potentially, it looks a wonderful card!
All the big guns stand their ground for the Grade 1's on Sunday - Zaidpour, Mikael, Jessies Dream, Noble Prince, Realt Dubh, Solwhit, Hurricane Fly, Voler La Vedette etc. Potentially, it looks a wonderful card!
remember watching it on tv in a pre festival schooling session and was amazed at its physique. it appeared to be lighter and leaner all round compared to when it won at cheltenham. not impressed was my general opinion, not filled out.
remember watching it on tv in a pre festival schooling session and wasamazed at its physique. it appeared to be lighter and leaner all round compared to when it won at cheltenham. not impressed was my general opinion, not filled out.
I saw that, and was not impressed on that day either (if it's the pre cheltenham after racing gallops you are referring to).
Some animal if back to his festival winning best.
I saw that, and was not impressed on that day either (if it's the pre cheltenham after racing gallops you are referring to).Some animal if back to his festival winning best.