Douvan lights up Leopardstown

Douvan was at his imperious best once more when landing the Paddy Power Cashcard Chase with ease at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Ruby Walsh took a lead from Alisier D’irlande in the two-mile one-furlong contest before letting his mount jump into the lead at the penultimate fence.

The result never looked in doubt for the 1/8 shot as he asserted going to the final fence for an eight-length success. Sizing John came through to chase him home without ever looking a danger.

“Every time a horse like that runs I have my heart in my mouth. He did what we hoped and we didn’t learn anything new,” said trainer Willie Mullins.

“He’s got spectacular scope and anyone that rides him just says he has a different gear. All the others around you are paddling looking to go faster while you are sitting on him.

“He just has a huge stride and does it effortlessly.

“My main aim now will just be to keep him sound and keep him well. His ability should carry him through most of what’s ahead I hope.

“He’s a lovely horse in the stable and a kid could lead him up in the yard. He has a beautiful temperament and he’s got such size.

“When you stand in to him you have to look up to him - you don’t realise it.

“He’s a well put together horse and when they are well put together they look smaller than they are and then you stand into them and you see how huge they are. He’s one of the biggest we’ve ever had.”

Imperious as ever! Douvan puts in a super display as he wins the Grade 1 Paddy Power Cashcard Chase at @LeopardstownRC: pic.twitter.com/GGqJ784J4j

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 27, 2016

Mullins is no rush to make plans for the star chaser:- “I don’t plan these things. When the horse is sound going home then I look.

“We’ll maybe look at the Tied Cottage. We’ll look nearer home than having to travel anyway.

Walsh was happy to take a lead today and Mullins commented:-

“That horse (Alisier D’irlande) does that and we were happy enough to let him go ahead and do it.

“He jumps a bit left. We didn’t want to interfere with that and we’re happy enough just to go down the middle of the track.”

The Closutton handler has never hidden his admiration for the six-year-old:-

“He would be potentially the best steeplechaser or horse we’ve had. It’s hard to see us having one better than Hurricane Fly but he never jumped a fence

“I’m hoping this fella will do more over fences than anything we’ve ever had. He has huge potential.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he stays sound and we’ll stay on the two mile route as long as we can anyway.

“If we decide to go up in trip that will be another day’s work. I’ve no interest in even thinking about it this season. As far as I’m concerned we are on the two mile route this year.

“I’m just taking one day at a time and aiming for the next race. I don’t see any need to move off that trip.

The Mullins yard has really hit form this Christmas and Mullins revealed:-

“Like a lot of my horses I was wondering was he the same Douvan in his first few bits of work this year. I wasn’t at all impressed with him.

“He has a new rider now with Holly (Conte) riding him instead of Gail (Carlisle). Holly rode him work differently. I asked her to talk to Gail about him and she did. Things just improved from there.”

Ruby Walsh added: ""He's a very good horse. He settled really well and jumped super. Alisier D'Irlande brought us a really good gallop. I cruised up to him over the second last and he didn't do a whole pile then. I got a bit close to the last but horses have to learn how to get themselves out of those situations.

"He just has a huge amount of ability. In time you probably could (step up in trip) but Willie is very conscious of developing these horses careers and going the right way about it. Douvan is still a very young horse, he has a lot of racing in front of him.

"I'm sure you probably could (see Un De Sceaux and Douvan take each other on). Un De Sceaux I think will probably go to Ascot in January and I'm sure they will take each other on somewhere."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham