Deadly Douvan shortens further for Festival

Willie Mullins' Douvan maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown today, and in the process was cut (temporarily) in the antepost markets to be the shortest priced runner going to the Cheltenham Festival at March.

Last season's Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Douvan was having his third start over fences and was priced at 1/14 to beat two rivals.

In truth, front-runner Douvan's only dangers were in front of him and once the son of Walk In The Park landed over the final fence, jockey Ruby Walsh allowed him extend on the run-in. Douvan, running for owner Rich Ricci, then went on to record an effortless 15 lengths win over Velvet Maker with Domesday Book finishing last of the trio.

Following the win, Douvan was generally cut to 1/2 favourite for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham (later in the afternoon Faugheen was cut to 1/3 for his Cheltenham target) and afterwards Mullins was glowing in his praise, saying “he's just an awesome horse, that's what he is.

“The minute he landed over the last Ruby had one quick look and gave him a squeeze and it was just a different gear and he extended the whole way up to the line against horses that are not too bad; that to me was fantastic.

“He literally could be anything still, he is relatively young in racehorse terms and hasn't really been extended and we don't know how good he his. He could be anything and could go back over hurdles and run in a Champion Hurdle!"

He added "I thought he jumped fantastic, maybe there was one fence down the back he stood a bit far off it. I was very impressed with the way he jumped into the bridle after the last and lengthened his stride.

"He hurdles his fences really, and they are no effort to him. For his size he knows where his feet are and he's not awkward.

"His temperament is half the battle with him. He's so docile which means you can put him anywhere in a race when the time comes. He doesn't have to make the running.

"You are seeing now what he shows me everyday at home. It's as if he's just a different species. The way he jumps I don't think we need to go beyond two miles at the moment but we have never had any worry about his ability to stay.”

Douvan has now registered eight wins in a row, seven of which have been for Mullins, having gained his initial maiden win on his second career start in France.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee