REPORT FROM NAVAN:IT IS RARE that a top professional admits to be being "astounded" by a horse's performance but Willie Mullins didn't hesitate to reach for the superlatives after Mikael D'Haguenet's Grade One success at Navan yesterday.
There was no one blaming the champion trainer for his reaction either as almost everyone else was left breathless too by the winner's scornful seven-length dismissal of the odds-on Pandorama in the Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Hurdle.
Pandorama had been touted as Cheltenham banker material after his previous race but he was left looking decidedly one-paced behind Mikael D'Haguenet who adds to an already hugely strong crop of novice hurdlers in the Mullins yard.
Hurricane Fly has already won a Grade One , while Cousin Vinny could emerge as the best of the lot, but the ex-French Mikael D'Haguenet is now two for two since coming to Ireland and is as low as 6 to 1 joint-favourite with Hurricane Fly in some lists for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle.
"That was something else, a huge performance. I'm going to have a problem keeping these Grade One horses apart but it is a nice problem to have," grinned Mullins before pouring some cold water on anyone with Cheltenham vouchers.
"I have no worries about the trip for this horse but I do have about the ground.
"I would prefer to run him on softer going rather than good ground. He loves this ground and while he will be entered for Cheltenham I just wonder about him coming down the hill at that speed. I've a lot of thinking to do," he added.
Some of that pondering was being done by Mullins on a flight to America last evening and he wasn't present to watch two further winners on the card, both ridden by the star teenage jockey, Paul Townend.
Jayo's victory in the Beginners Chase was comparatively straight-forward but there was nothing straight-forward about the Grade Two Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle which eventually fell to Shakervilz.
The top-rated Aitmatov turned into a nightmare ride for Paul Carberry, racing very reluctantly, and being all but tailed off, for most of the race. In contrast Give It Time raced so enthusiastically she was a distance clear with only four to jump and her lead looked unassailable.
Townend is surfing a wave of confidence right now but his trust in his own judgement of pace shone through yesterday's race as Shakervilz patiently overhauled Give It Time and had more than enough in reserve when Aitmatov eventually deigned to take an interest.
Ante-post reaction from some firms was to cut Shakervilz to as low as 16 to 1 for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Similar odds are floating around about Dunguib for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham and there will be worse ante-post bets at the festival judged by the horse's 13-length demolition of Luska Lad in the concluding Grade Two yesterday.
Trainer Philip Fenton won the race two years ago with Shirley Casper who subsequently ran well at Cheltenham and he said: "He looks a right one but we will have to see how he is getting on closer to March. He is quite a narrow horse so I'm sure better ground will suit him."
Despite the eclipse of both Aitmatov and Pandorama, Paul Carberry still notched a double as the Royal Bond runner-up, Donnas Palm, landed odds of 1 to 7 with the minimum of fuss in the opener.
Donnas Palm is the latest recruit to the Grand Alliance Racing Club, the 12- member syndicate made up of politicians from all parties, including An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen.
The grey is a general 20 to 1 shot for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Carberry also scored on the well-backed favourite Lochan Lacha in the handicap hurdle. The winner was three and a half lengths too good for Lord Of The Tavern.
"He ran well the last day and on that form he had a great chance, said delighted trainer Tony Martin."
