Mikael has plenty going for him in this class

THE notion Mikael d’Haguenet might one day develop into a Cheltenham Gold Cup horse has long been forgotten, but he retains a fair amount of ability and is the nap choice in the Trinity Motor Neuron Disease Research Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

His career over fences was a disaster and it is no great surprise the former Cheltenham festival hero has been returned to this game.

He made his seasonal debut in the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle at Navan last month and, rather surprisingly, went off favourite.