Mikael D'Haguenet Profile
The Willie Mullins-trained five-year old gelding started to cause ripples on the online Horse racing punter's radar as a result of a brace of National Hunt victories last season; including the Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham, followed by the Punchestown equivalent. Which are just two reasons underlined in the tipster's pro columns as to why it's widely judged to be something of a hot prospect as the new National Hunt homes into our view. And that's despite a recent setback that's seen the trainer of the French-bred horse having to delay one of his star pupil's highly anticipated second season in the spotlight.
Citing a splint and a cut in his hind leg as to the reasons behind Mikael D'Haguenet's race-entry schedule being cautiously put back until December, based on his impressive endeavours around Cheltenham and Punchestown he's already been installed as 5 – 1 clear ante-post favourite ahead of next March's RSA Chase; regardless of the fact that he's never tackled an Irish fence in public as we write. As yet there seems little reaction with the virtual bookies in terms of Mikael D'Haguenet's price being affected adversely by these latest revelations. Aside from the RSA Chase the horse can also be found as short as 7 - 1 for the 2-mile Coral Arkle Trophy Chase as we understand it.
Mikael D'Haguenet Cheltenham Win Announced His Arrival On National Hunt Scene
Reflecting on Mikael D'Haguenet's Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdles win at Cheltenham last March, his first serious outing on UK shores after remaining unbeaten since joining Willie Mullins from France, and it was made all the more remarkable in light of the ground being much firmer than he'd previously been used to. It was the ease of adoption to the terrain and overall versatility to the challenge that helped create the stir that's happened around the sire of Lavirco ever since. With more soft-to-heavy ground being considered his idea surface on which to compete, Mikael D'Haguenet made short shift of the more favourable ground conditions that greeted him at the Punchestown Festival shortly after his Cheltenham histrionics, which effectively cemented his stand as the leader of the RSA Chase market pack, with trainer Mullins confirming that novice chasing would be this campaign's major aim.
Both trainer and mount have in the past described Mikael D'Haguenet as 'a machine' with regards his efficiency and purpose around the course and seamless negotiation of the hurdles, yet by the same token there's a collection of potentially ruthless 'chasers' limbering up for the new National Hunt season's novice chasers, and with this very much in mind William Hill fervently believe that horse racing fans will be in for, "some fireworks"; as the jumping action unfolds.
Mikael D'Haguenet Online Horse Racing Betting Favourite Ahead Of 2010 Arkle And RSA Chase
Looking closely at Mikael D'Haguenet's online betting odds going into the upcoming 2009-2010 National Hunt season, and the first big race that captures our attention is the Arkle Trophy Chase as we've mentioned in passing above. Of the 76 runners in the frame to address the challenging 2-mile course on the 16th March 2010, Mikael D'Haguenet finds himself very well placed at 7 - 1 with both Paddy Power and SkyBet to take the honours from the large field, whilst the RSA Chase that takes place the following day has him down as the outright favourite at 4 - 1 with Stan James and 5's with Blue Square, Coral and Paddy Power. Elsewhere, and the World Hurdle - pencilled in straight after for the 18th March 2010 - sees the exciting gelding priced at a tempting 7 - 1 with Totesport and 6 - 1 in the eyes of Bet365.