Douvan (Fr) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) justified favouritism to win Punchestown's Thursday feature, the G1 Ryanair Novice Chase, by 11 lengths, in the process handing trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh another feature win. Douvan, a 6-year-old gelding owned by Rich Ricci, was completing a major festival triple, having won the G1 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham in March and the G1 Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree three weeks ago.
“We've seen a few not able to do the three Festivals this week, so that was great,” said Mullins. “He got close at one or two but he jumped fantastically, and did it like a fresh horse. You wouldn't have known he'd been to Cheltenham and Aintree. It was as good a performance as we could have possibly hoped after that heavy schedule.”
Looking ahead, Mullins added, “My immediate thoughts for next year are that we might take on Sprinter Sacre and go the Champion Chase route. But equally we could make a Gold Cup horse out of him. He travels and has the temperament that you need to be a stayer. But he'll go out to grass now and I'll chat with Mr. Ricci over the summer. He's a big, immature horse with a big frame and could get stronger over the summer. He's six and could improve again. I just hope he stays sound so everybody can get to enjoy him.”
The other Grade 1 on Thursday's card, the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle, was won by Andy Weller's One Track Mind (Ire) (Flemensfirth) for trainer Warren Greatrex and jockey Gavin Sheehan.
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