Mikael d’Haguenet can shrug off 123-day absence

Mikael d’Haguenet has to be regarded as the most interesting horse on view at Thurles this afternoon.

In his younger days he shaped like a possible Cheltenham Gold Cup winner down the line, but it never quite worked out and it has largely been a case of unfulfilled promise for the now ten-year-old.

Over fences, Mikael d’Haguenet was plagued by poor technique, although when winning his beginners chase, at Punchestown, he beat none other than Lord Windermere, who hasn’t done too badly in the meantime.