Mullins duo dominate Novice heat

WILLIE Mullins is double-handed in the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown today with both Mikael D’Haguenet and Cousin Vinny representing the champion trainer.

The pair endured contrasting fortunes at the Cheltenham Festival last month with Cousin Vinny finishing fifth when sent off favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle while Mikael D’Haguenet ran out an impressive winner of the Ballymore Properties Hurdle.

Cousin Vinny did not enjoy the best of trips across the water but Mullins reports him to be in much better form now and is happy with the condition of both of his contenders.