Douvan to miss rest of the season as connections take ‘conservative’ approach

Blow as Irish superstar on the sidelines

Published Dec 17, 2017

Crack two-mile chaser Douvan will miss the rest of the season, trainer Willie Mullins has announced.

The Rich Ricci-owned seven-year-old has not been seen since losing his unbeaten record over fences in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

He had been set to reappear in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown earlier this month but was not declared, with Mullins reporting he had not been totally happy with him in the days before the race, opting instead to wait for a possible run at Leopardstown over Christmas.

Douvan and Ruby Walsh jump the last on the way to winning the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

Mullins told Press Association Sport: “It’s disappointing news, but we are taking a very conservative approach to his recovery, so this season is on hold.

“Our veterinary team will come back to us after the weekend to see what we need to do to help his recovery. He is young enough to come back to his best.”

Ruby Walsh celebrates his victory on Douvan in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham — Ruby Walsh celebrates his victory on Douvan in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (EMPICS Sport)

Douvan has won a total of eight Grade One contests in his career to date, including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham, beating current Gold Cup king Sizing John in the latter event in 2016.