Mikael D'Haguenet 'tough to beat' in Drinmore

Mikael D'Haguenet: Irish chase debut will be his first run in 18 months

  PICTURE: Caroline Norris  Mikael 'tough to beat' in Drinmore return By Jessica Lamb 10:14AM 26 NOV 2010 MIKAEL D'HAGUENET, off the track since a Grade 1 double at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals last year, will be "tough to beat" as he goes over fences on his return at Fairyhouse on Sunday, according to trainer Willie Mullins.

RELATED LINKS Drinmore card  The 10-1 second favourite for the RSA Chase heads a field of nine in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase over 2m4f, with Noble Prince the only absentee from the original entries.

"He is fine and we are sure he will handle the ground okay," Mullins said. "We just hope he jumps well.  He will be tough to beat if he has a clear round."

Mikael D'Haguenet ran once over fences in his native France before joining Mullins, but has not run in a chase since and will be returning from a 576-day absence.

In an unbeaten six-race campaign as a novice hurdler in the 2008-09 season, he won five consecutive Graded events, including the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Land Rover Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Leading the opposition on Sunday are the Gordon Elliott-trained Jessies Dream, a 20-1 shot for the RSA Chase, and Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase scorer Realt Dubh.

Noel Meade, Realt Dubh's trainer, said: "The two and a half miles will help as he stays very well and fingers crossed he jumps soundly."

The going at Fairyhouse is soft, soft to heavy in places with severe frosts forecast for Friday and Saturday night. Frost covers have been put on the landing and take-off sides of the obstacles.

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