“It’s getting quite late in the season and I can’t see myself entering him in the next 14 days,” he told At The Races. Everything is still left open with him. The fact the horse has so much experience is a big thing but if I can get him out before Cheltenham, he could go.”

The County Carlow trainer is also up against the clock to get Hurricane Fly ready for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle following a suspensory ligament injury. The six-year-old went into the summer as the ante-post favourite for the championship event after an emphatic victory at the Punchestown Festival. However, he suffered a surprise reverse on his only start this campaign when third to Solwhit back at Punchestown in November.

“He’s just making type of progress we’d expect him to make,” Mullins added.

“It would be very tough going to get him to Cheltenham.”

He has been matched as high as 649-1 for the Champion Hurdle on Betfair – though one punter has 50p at 999-1 – and £253 has been matched on the Ballymore winner at 300 or bigger.

Hurricane Fly currently trades at 74-1.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: “Some Betfair punters were quick to latch on to the possibility of Willie Mullins drafting in substitutes Mikael D’Haguenet and Quevega as soon as Hurricane Fly’s problems were revealed last month, and that pair were immediately backed at massive three-figure prices. So while the move for Mikael D’Haguenet has gathered some minor momentum since other bookmakers have quoted him in the past 48 hours, the move is effectively two weeks old. In truth, I think the value may long been sucked out of this particular betting angle. But this is clearly an open year and he currently trades at 25-1, so that may still tempt some. I suspect he might drift back out again though, if running plans from the Mullins stable aren’t forthcoming sooner rather than later.”

To win the Champion Hurdle – Betfair betting: 11-2 Zaynar, 6-1 Solwhit, 13-2 Go Native, 17-2 Binocular, 11-1 Celestial Halo, 12-1 Punjabi, 14-1 Khyber Kim, 23-1 Starluck 25-1 Mikael D’Haguenet, 26-1 Voler La Vedette, Dunguib, 41-1 Sublimity, Medermit, 74-1 Hurricane Fly

Willie Mullins told the Racing Post;
“The priority is to get Mikael D’Haguenet back on the racecourse as soon as we can, but we’re not happy with him yet and it is too early to say when that might happen,” said the trainer.

“We are still looking at training him for a novice chase campaign, but everything is up in the air and we’re having to take things day by day.

“If he was back on track we’d be entering him for different chases at Cheltenham and nothing else. But because of where we are, nothing – including a possible Champion Hurdle entry – is being ruled in or out.”

All the latest Prices for Cheltenham 2010 from William Hill…

2010 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup: 11-8 Kauto Star, 2-1 Denman, 20-1 Cooldine, Imperial Commander, 25-1 What A Friend, 33-1 Joncol, Money Trix, 40-1 Barbers Shop, Madison du Berlais, Notre Pere, 50-1 Albertas Run, Carruthers, In Compliance, Killyglen, Rare Bob, 66-1 Cappa Bleu, Schindlers Hunt, 100-1 Niche Market (Others On Request) (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Gold Cup without Kauto Star & Denman: 5-1 Imperial Commander, What A Friend, 6-1 Cooldine, 7-1 Joncol, 8-1 Money Trix, 10-1 Barbers Shop, Notre Pere, 12-1 Carruthers, Madison Du Berlais, 14-1 Albertas Run, Rare Bob, 16-1 In Compliance, Killyglen (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Champion Hurdle: 9-2 Zaynar 11-2 Go Native, 6-1 Solwhit, 8-1 Binocular, Celestial Halo, 12-1 Khyber Kim, Punjabi, 1Starluck, 20-1 Voler La Vedette, 25-1 Sublimity, 33-1 Medermit, 40-1 Quevega- (EW ¼ 1-2-3)



Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase: 7-4 Master Minded, 10-1 Big Zeb, Forpadydeplasterer, Kalahari King, Twist Magic,14-1 Petit Robin, Well Chief, 16-1 Barker, Golden Silver, 20-1 Free World, 33-1 Mahogany Blaze (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Ladbrokes World Hurdle 4-7 Big Bucks, 10-1 Diamond Harry, Karabak, 14-1 Sentry Duty, 20-1 Mr Thriller, 25-1 Katchit, Lie Forrit, 33-1 Cousin Vinny, Fair Along, Powerstation, Whiteoak, (Others On Request) (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Ryanair Chase: 9-2 Poquelin, 5-1 Imperial Commander, 7-1 Tranquil Sea, Voy Por Ustedes, 8-1 Barbers Shop, 12-1 Petit Robin, Planet Of Sound, 14-1 Kalahari King, 20-1 Chapoturgeon, In Compliance, Jack The Giant, Schindlers Hunt, Scotsirish, Tidal Bay, 33-1 Aran Concerto, 50-1 Massini’s Maguire, (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle: 6-4 Quevega, 7-2 Voler La Vedette, 6-1 Whiteoak, 12-1 Allegralil, 16-1 Silk Affair, Others on request (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: 6-4 Dunguib, 12-1 Menorah, Quantitativeeasing, 14-1 Rite of Passage, 16-1 Bellvano, General Miller, 20-1 Lush Life, Pepe Simo, 25-1 Hollo Ladies, Lidar, Oscar Whisky, Salden Licht, Washington Irvine, 33-1 Dr Whizz, Inventor, Like Minded, Manyriverstocross, Sitting Tennant, Sweeps Hill, 40-1 Candy Creek (EW 1/4 odds 1,2,3)



The Neptune Investments Novices’ Hurdle (Ballymore): 9-1 Quel Esprit, 12-1 Quantitiveeasing, 14-1 Reve de Sivola, Shinrock Paddy, Tell Massini, 14-1 General Miller, Rite of Passage, 16-1 Bobby Ewing, Finians Rainbow, Royal Charm, Washington Irvine, 20-1 Ghizao, Manyriverstocross, Restless Harry, Some Present, Sweeps Hill, 25-1 Fionnegas, Like Minded, The Betchworth Kid, Valentine Vic, 33-1 Aegean Dawn, Rhyl Accord, Taking Stock, Tocco Ferro, Vico, (EW ¼ odds 1,2,3)

Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle: 9-2 Tell Massini, 5-1 Quel Esprit, 7-1 Reve De Sivola, 14-1 Fionnegas, 16-1 Bobby Ewing, For The Staff, Kennel Hill, Malakai, Rhyl Accord, Silver Kate, Valentine Vic, Vico, 25-1 Chamirey, Gorge, Lord Generous (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

RSA Chase: 9-2 Punchestowns, 6-1 Long Run, 8-1 Mikael D’Haguenet, 12-1 Diamond Harry, 14-1 Pandorama, Pride of Dulcote, Weird Al, 16-1 Michel Le Bon, Weapons Amnesty, 20-1 Catch Me, Inchidaly Rock, 25-1 Alfie Sherrin, Apt Approach, Bensalem., Gullible Gordon, Knockara Beau, 33-1 bar Others Available (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy: 11-2 Sizing Europe, 6-1 Captain Cee Bee, 8-1 Somersby, Tataniano, 12-1 Riverside Theatre, 14-1 Mikael D’Haguenet, Osana,, 20-1 Sports Line, Take the Breeze, 25-1 Cousin Vinny, , 33-1 Kangaroo Court, Kempes, Snap Tie, Zaarito, 40-1 Ashkazar, Jered, King Edmund, 50-1 Noble Alan (EW 1/4 1,2,3)



JCB Triumph Hurdle: 10-1 Mille Chief, Pistolet Noir, 12-1 Alaivan, 14-1 Carlito Brigante, 16-1 Royal Mix, 20-1 Westlin Winds, 25-1 Advisor, Cross Appeal, Zaidapour, 33-1 Barizan, Barwell Bridge, Braveheart Move, Jump City, Olofi, Remember Now, Stormy Weather, Sunwise, 40-1 Mosstown, Ultimate, Others on request (Ew ¼ 1,2,3)

Weatherbys Champion Bumper: 14-1 Tavern Times, 16-1 Dunraven Storm, 20-1 Cottage Star, Don’t Turn Back, Forty Foot Tom, Sizing Mexico, (EW ¼ 1,2,3)