Mikael D'Haguenet out until December

RACING NEWS: CHAMPION TRAINER Willie Mullins is going to have to bide his time before being able to run some of his stable stars with Mikael D'Haguenet not likely to reappear until December.

Last season’s brilliant Cheltenham and Punchestown festival winner is already favourite for March’s RSA Chase without having jumped a fence in public yet in these islands.

However Mullins revealed yesterday the French-bred star has had a slight setback which has delayed plans for a first start of the season.

“He had a small setback in the last two weeks. He had a splint and then got a cut in a hind leg. He has had the stitches out so he could actually start back riding.

“But he is probably going to miss a month and it will probably be December by the time he reaches a racetrack,” he said.

“The fact he ran in a chase in France means I’m not too worried about his schooling. He jumps well,” added Mullins.

December is also when the Champion Hurdle favourite Hurricane Fly is set to reappear and Mullins reported: “I’m in no rush with him. March is the aim. He has come back in very strong from grass.”

However there may be an even longer delay before both Fiveforthree and Quevega return to action.

“Novice chasing is on the agenda for Fiveforthree but, as it seems every year now, he has come back into training with a setback so he won’t appear until later in the season. If it is too late we may consider staying hurdles and wait another season,” he said.

“Quevega has had a setback and probably won’t appear until Cheltenham.”