WILLIE MULLINS will make a late late call on whether or not Mikael D’Haguenet goes to the Cheltenham Festival, but the star novice is already the subject of Gold Cup dreams for owner Rich Ricci.
The New York-born, London-based banker flew to Dublin to watch Mikael D’Haguenet school after racing at Leopardstown yesterday under Ruby Walsh and was impressed with what he saw.
“I’m delighted with the engine. The engine is still there. He made a couple of mistakes but corrected himself well,” Ricci said after Mikael D’Haguenet schooled alongside the Ryanair-bound J’y Vole and two other Mullins-trained horses.
Last year’s Ballymore winner hasn’t raced in 10 months but remains a possible for the RSA Chase and the Arkle at Cheltenham.
“It’s a big ask but he will work again next week and we’ll see. We won’t jeopardise the horse. He’s a potential Gold Cup horse and the issue is do we chase an Arkle or an RSA and blow two Gold Cups,” Ricci added. “I’m a banker and a risk-taker – but you know banker’s records!”
Mullins was happy with Mikael D’Haguenet’s display but confirmed a late decision will be made regarding Cheltenham. “I thought he was sure-footed and clever when he had to be. We will see how he is in a few days,” Mullins said.
However, the champion trainer was delighted with his Gold Cup hope Cooldine who schooled under Paul Townend in a separate session alongside the RSA bound Uimhiraceathair. “I thought he was excellent,” said Mullins whose Sports Line remains on target for the Arkle after a school alongside the Champion Chase hope Golden Silver.
Another former festival winner to impress was Quevega who finished full of running under Walsh after a mile-and-six-furlong workout.
Forpadydeplasterer impressed Barry Geraghty in a school at the post-racing workouts and is back on track for the Champion Chase after an injury hiccup, with the jockey telling trainer Tom Cooper: “You wouldn’t think he missed any work.”
The Triumph Hurdle hope Carlito Brigante worked a mile and a half under Davy Russell while the 2007 Champion Hurdle winner Sublimity was another to work out yesterday.
