Mikael D'Haguenet impresses at Punchestown Mikael D'Haguenet put in another fine performance when taking The Land Rover Champion Grade 1 Novice Hurdle in great style and topping off an unbelievable week for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh. Mullins said afterwards, "Cousin Vinny had been working out of his skin at home this week and he ran the race of his life to finish 2nd and it just goes to show you how good Mikael D'Haguenet is. Mikael came out of his race at Cheltenham very well, he has size and he has scope and he'll go chasing next season actually both horses will go chasing next season I don't see a future for them over hurdles. Mikael D'Haguenet will be put away now and Cousin Vinny may go for another race if we can find a suitable conditions hurdle race for him." Mullins also revealed, "Mikael D'Haguneut ran 4 times in France before I got him he wasn't mature enough then and he also had one run over fences and that's one of the reasons as to why we bought him."
