Mikael justifies prohibitive odds

Odds of 2/9 suggested an easy task for Mikael D'Haguenet in the Limestone Lad Hurdle, and so it proved as the Willie Mullins-trained gelding readily completed a hat-trick in the Grade 3 event at Naas.

The eight-year-old gelding sauntered into the lead after two out, and Paul Townend hardly had to move a muscle on the run-in as his mount cruised home seven length clear of Rick (8/1).

This proved the middle leg of a treble for the champion trainer as he also saddled Marasonnien to win the opening maiden hurdle and Midnight Game landed the novice hurdle.

Mullins said, “He's getting his confidence back, and the conditions of the race suited him well. He's in the Champion Hurdle and the Stayers Hurdle and there's not alot for him between now and then.”

Sean Graham's cut the French-bred from 20/1 to 12/1 for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, while he's 14/1 (also from 20's) with Stan James.