Paul Nicholls may be the dominant force in the training department, especially when it comes to superstar chasers between two miles and three and a quarter, but Willie Mullins arguably has even greater strength in depth in the novice hurdle department just now.

Champion Bumper winner Cousin Vinny looks like taking equally high rank over timber, Hurricane Fly already has two Grade One events on his CV, and the less heralded Quiscover Fontaine is a likely candidate for the three-mile novice at Cheltenham.

But in the long run they may all end up giving best to Mikael D'Haguenet who maintained his unbeaten record for Mullins with the minimum of fuss in the Goffs Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas.

Bought as a prospective chaser, he has now won a maiden hurdle, the Grade One Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial and now added a Grade Two to his collection.

Huge in stature, the five-year-old would not have been suited by the pedestrian early pace set by Western Charmer and nearly all of the six runners were still on the bridle turning into the straight.

Those who had taken the 1-3 about Ruby Walsh's mount may have been suffering from sweaty palms for a second or two but the jockey always looked confident.

Clan Tara was the only serious challenger over the final flight but a quick shake of the reins from Walsh saw his mount quicken up impressively for a three-and-a-half-length win over Western Charmer.

Walsh said: "He's got enough pace to win despite the fact they went no gallop. He still won on the bridle.

"I've always liked him - I think he's a machine."

Mullins added: "I'm delighted with how he jumped and how he quickened when he had to.

"I'm very pleased but have no real plans for him.

"If I can find a nice race in February for him I would run him but I'm lucky enough to have a few nice horses and don't want them clashing just yet.

"The Deloitte (February 8) is an obvious race for him but I also have to consider Hurricane Fly for that.

"We'll tread carefully with regard to Cheltenham because he is nearly 17 hands high. If the ground came up dry I'd have to think hard about it, it's a winter game and I prefer winter ground.

"If he gets his ground he'd go, I'm keen and so are the owners."

William Hill shortened him to 6-1 from 7s for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle while Victor Chandler went 5s from 6s.

Mullins and Walsh also combined to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase but the only surprise was that Jayo was not sent off favourite.

The odds-on jolly, Made In Taipan, is trained by Mullins' younger brother Tom but after his hard race in a Grade One only nine days ago he trailed home a well-beaten second behind the 6-4 shot.

A classy juvenile hurdler, now a six-year-old he would be a live each-way contender for the Arkle in March.

Mullins said: "His jumping was electric, he was like a hurdler going over them today.

"I'm sure he's Arkle-bound after that, he'll possibly run in both the Irish and English Arkles but I'll have to have a look at the timing.

"I don't think the ground really bothers him at all, he'll go on anything."

Victor Chandler handed Jayo a 20-1 quote for the Arkle in March but William Hill go only 16s.

The colourful Oliver Brady may be seen back at Cheltenham too after his Ebadiyan won the Harry Farrell 50 yrs On Board Maiden Hurdle.

Formerly with John Oxx on the level, he is now a possible for the Triumph Hurdle and was handed a 20-1 quote by William Hill.

"He is a good horse, he was the cheapest of the John Oxx horses at the Goffs Sales," said Brady.

"He was certainly the bargain horse. The further he goes the better he goes. He is my ticket across the water. We will put him away now and he might have one more run before he goes to Cheltenham."

With the icy cold weather claiming all the turf action in Britain, the all-weather took centre stage.

Chris Walls' Premio Loco, sixth in the Cambridgeshire, had no trouble landing short odds in the William Hill January Sales - 0800 44 40 40 Conditions Stakes at Lingfield.

Wall said: "He'd been off the track for a while and this looked a good opportunity to get him back.

"We'll now go for a Listed race at Kempton in between three and four weeks.

"He didn't seem to get nine furlongs in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket, but he tore off a shoe which might have happened when he pecked three or four strides after the start.

"I can't say he'll stay a mile and a quarter, as he's so comfortable at a mile.

"But if things go to plan the Winter Derby could be in the pipeline."

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