Mullins still hoping for Mikael chase campaign Willie Mullins is reluctant to send Mikael D'Haguenet back over hurdles this season - even though he is still to jump a fence in public since his move from France. Last year's Ballymore winner has not been seen since following up his Cheltenham win at Punchestown, confirming himself as the leading staying novice hurdler last season. He had raced over fences in France before switching to Mullins and the champion trainer is still thinking along those lines, despite his seasonal reappearance being delayed again. "He had a few days off but he's been back riding again the last few days and we'll see how he is next week before we make any more plans," said Mullins. "If we get into the New Year (and he still has not run over fences) then we'll have to look at it. At the moment we are not going to run him until he's right and he's ready to run. "If he hadn't already run over fences then I might go back hurdling but he's got plenty of experience over fences so I'm not panicking yet. "I'm not tempted to do anything yet because I haven't got the problem but if I have that's another day's work," he told At The Races.
