Ruby and ‘machine’ unbeatable

MIKAEL D’HAGUENET really is the business. Willie Mullins’s French-import lived up to all the hopes invested in the horse when storming away with the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday and has future Gold Cup winner stamped all over him.

Fears the ground would prove too quick proved totally unfounded, as he exploded up the straight to beat the wide-running Karabak by a length and three parts.

His display absolutely thrilled Mullins. “I was delighted with the way he handled the ground,” reported Mullins.