Dazzling Douvan to sparkle and keep the Arkle in Mullins’ hands

David Metcalf | March 14, 2016

Douvan can destroy Arkle rivals

Douvan looks a worthy red-hot favourite to provide trainer Willie Mullins with back-to-back successes in the Grade 1 Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival (14:10).

The County Carlow handler saddled Un De Sceaux to victory 12 months ago, and in Douvan has a gelding who is one of the most exciting prospects seen for a long time.

Deadly Douvan won all four of his starts last season after joining Mullins, and they included a breathtaking success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting, with the six-year-old travelling powerfully throughout before showing a devastating turn of foot to out the race to bed.

Superb jumper with huge engine

Douvan had the potential to make up into a Champion Hurdle horse judged on the manner of that success, but connections decided to go down the chasing route and he has won all three of his stars this season over the larger obstacles in impressive fashion.

Following on from landing a minor contest at Navan on his seasonal reappearance by a wide margin without having to break sweat, Douvan has gone on to land two Grade 1 races at Leopardstown; the Racing Post Novice Chase and Irish equivalent of the Arkle in similarly stunning fashion.

This son of Walk In The park jumped brilliant on each occasion, has a huge engine and, granted a clear round, the Arkle Challenge Trophy should be Douvan’s for the taking.