Mikael D’Haguenet to stick with fences, says Mullins
The three-time Grade One-winning hurdler made his long-awaited return from a lengthy absence at Fairyhouse in December and all appeared to be going according to plan until he tipped up at the final fence.
He disappointed on his next appearance at Leopardstown a couple of weeks later, where his jumping let him down as he finished a well-beaten fifth.
But the champion trainer said afterwards that the run had come too soon for his charge and he decided to bypass this weekend’s Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown to give him more time.
“I’m happy with him, but we just decided to wait a bit longer,” said Mullins.
“He’s in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase (February 6) so we’ll look at that, but I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do. At the moment, the plan is for his next run to be over fences.”
Mullins also gave a positive update on Zaidpour, who like Mikael D’Haguenet, was beaten at odds-on at Leopardstown. “It’s a well-known fact that the meeting was really too soon after Fairyhouse, but we took a chance and Zaidpour only failed by a neck,” Mullins added. “He’s well and the next plan is for him to go to Leopardstown for the Deloitte Novice Hurdle (February 6).”
