Mikael Sinks The Panda In Navan Feature

The Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle Grade 1 caused a shock result when the Willie Mullins trained Mikael D'Haguenet under Paul Townend beat the 2/7 favourite of Noel Meades Pandorama by an impressive 7 lengths.

Townend settled his mount in second, improved to challenge approaching two out, led at last and kept on well.

A delighted Willie Mullins said afterwards, "We came here today to see how good the horse was and that was something else. That was a huge performance by the horse. He likes this type of ground and we've no worries about him over a trip. We will enter him for Cheltenham next but with such a big horse i'd worry about the speed coming down the hill. We might go for The Slaney Hurdle at Naas with him next. Paul [Townend] gave him a copybook ride, he did everything he was told to do."