Horse Profile

DOUVAN (FR)

Age, Colour, Sex 16 b g (9 May 2010) Trainer W. P. Mullins, Ireland

Trainer History P. Peltier, France until 3 Jun 2014
Owner Mrs S. Ricci Pedigree WALK IN THE PARK (IRE) 123 STAR FACE (FR) SAINT DES SAINTS (FR)

Chase 165 +

Premium Horse Comment

Jumps: tall, good-topped gelding: winning hurdler: top-class chaser: off 19 months, 4/5, won 5-runner Grade 2 at Clonmel last time readily under hands-and-heels ride by 9½ lengths from Jett, in control when untidy last after going with enthusiasm: stays 2½m: acts on heavy going: may be capable of better.

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Results

Date	Crs/Class /Type	Result Res	Btn	Type	Or	Dis	Going	Jockey	ISP	BSP	IP Hi/Lo	IPS	FS%	Tfig	TFR
14 Nov 19	Clo Grade 2	1/5	9.5	Chase	G2	20.5f	Heavy	P. Townend	4/51.8f	1.98	3.3/-	4k	105		165+
returning from another lengthy injury-enforced absence, was suited by the conditions of the race but showed he is still capable of top-class form, impressing with how quickly he put the race to bed and seeing out the longer trip despite the conditions; held up, went with enthusiasm, mistake seventh, went on before 5 out, clear next, in control when untidy last, impressive; is reportedly set to drop back to 2m next time, the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas an obvious target.
569 day break
24 Apr 18	Pun Grade 1	2/9	2.75	Chase	G1	16f	Soft	P. Townend	4/51.8f	1.96	-/1.81	2K	106.4	162	166+
didn't really have any excuses on the day, for all that his jumping arguably wasn't at its absolute best (albeit no significant errors); chased leader, typically travelled strongly, going well when not fluent 3 out and 2 out, kept on but always second best thereafter; he's still a top-class chaser despite his training problems over the past 13 months or so, though surely a step up in trip is now in order if he's to challenge for top honours again.
14 Mar 18	Chl C1 Grade 1	F/9		Chase	G1	15.9f	Soft	Mr P. W. Mullins	9/25.5	6.4	-/2.92	2kx	102.5		+
hadn't been seen since flopping so dismally in this 12 months previously, but he was looking much more his old self until departing, under Patrick Mullins, a last-minute replacement for the injured Walsh, still full of running but probably doing plenty, given the circumstances; prominent, went with zest, led eighth, fell tenth; hopefully he can return at Punchestown, if not before, and show just how good he is these days.
364 day break
15 Mar 17	Chl C Grade 1	7/10	11.5	Chase	G1	15.9f	Good	R. Walsh	2/91.22f	1.26	-/1.24	2xf	97.6	126	148+
lost his aura of invincibility bidding for a third Festival win, faced with more meaningful opposition than for his small-field cakewalks in Ireland earlier this season but more to the point just not on his game, with a totally out-of-character sketchy round of jumping perhaps symptomatic of something troubling him; soon settled behind the leaders, he reached for the third and fourth, got in close to the fifth, was long again at the eighth and was soon on the retreat once asked for an effort after another error 3 out; clearly this defeat doesn't undo everything that's gone before and he still deserves his rating as one of the best jumpers in training, though he'll have a bit to prove next time we see him all the same.
5 Feb 17	Pun Grade 2	1/4	6.5	Chase	G2	16f	Soft	R. Walsh	1/141.07f	1.08	1.08/-	1KJ	112.2	83	152+
completed a simple task as he made it 14 wins in a row and, barring an unlikely mishap (he's a magnificent jumper), will surely add a third Festival win to his collection in next month's Champion Chase, rightly a prohibitively-priced favourite for that race; led after first, made rest, travelled powerfully/jumped superbly, drew clear from 2 out, hard held.
27 Dec 16	Leo Grade 1	1/5	8	Chase	G1	17f	Gd/Sft	R. Walsh	1/81.12f	1.13	1.14/-	2KJ	99.8	122	171+
didn't need to be at his best to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in effortless fashion, predictably proving a cut above his rivals; chased leader, jumped impeccably, typically travelled strongly, went on 2 out, asserted for minimal assistance from last, had plenty in hand; connections have suggested he is unlikely to step up in trip this season, something that may be required if he is to achieve the type of ratings of which he's surely capable, but he will nevertheless continue to be very hard to beat wherever he goes, victory in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March (4/7 the best price currently available) looking a formality on form.
11 Dec 16	Cor Grade 2	1/7	22	Chase	G2	17f	Soft	P. Townend	1/61.16f	1.2	1.29/-	1Kj	100.3	160	176+
merely strengthened his position as potentially the best National Hunt horse in training with this facile winning return from 8 months off, taking his unbeaten record over fences to 7; made all, jumped well in main, typically travelled strongly, powered clear from 4 out, already in control when not fluent next, won with plenty in hand; very much the one to beat in top 2m chases this winter, though will almost certainly stay 2½m+ if required.
227 day break
28 Apr 16	Pun Grade 1	1/5	11	Chase	G1	16f	Gd/Sft	R. Walsh	2/91.22f	1.25	1.29/-	1KJ	116.4	37	167+
rounded off a perfect novice chase campaign by landing his fifth Grade 1 of the season with yet another scintillating performance, a sight to behold as he sauntered clear of the very smart runner-up in the straight, notching up a famous Festival hat-trick in the process; soon led, jumped superbly, typically travelled strongly, asserted from 2 out, drew clear run-in, impressive; a truly outstanding prospect, he will continue to take all the beating whichever road connections decide to go down in 2016/17, with the Champion Chase (for which he is already a short-priced favourite) and the Gold Cup both mooted as possible targets at this stage.
9 Apr 16	Ain C1 Grade 1	1/5	14	Chase	G1	15.8f	Gd/Sft	P. Townend	2/131.15f	1.16	1.25/-	2KJ	102.5	172	173+
is one of the very best and most exciting novice chasers seen in Timeform's experience and already shows a level of form that places him near the top of the overall chasing rankings, before he's taken in open company, likely to be a match for virtually any of the established top rank next season, raced so far at 2m but likely to be effective over further when the time comes; chased leader, jumped superbly in main, tanked along, led after 4 out, kept on well after 2 out, most impressive; the sky's the limit.
15 Mar 16	Chl C Grade 1	1/7	7	Chase	G1	15.9f	Good	R. Walsh	1/41.25f	1.3	1.31/-	1KJ	103.3	157	163+
is up there with the most talented novice chasers of recent times, certainly the standout in the division this season, and, although he didn't need to improve to land this third consecutive Grade 1, yet again he barely came out of second gear and was value for plenty more than the winning margin; tanked along, jumped superbly, led after second and made rest, quickened between 3 out and 2 out, effortlessly drew away, in command last, won easily; the full extent of his ability hasn't been revealed yet but there's no question that Douvan has the potential to put himself in the truly elite bracket, ratings in excess of the mid-170s a distinct possibility, and it'll be hugely exciting to see him contest the top open races next season.
51 day break
24 Jan 16	Leo Grade 1	1/3	15	Chase	G1	17f	Soft	R. Walsh	1/141.07f	1.08	1.09/-	1KJ	98.6	136	162+
continues to look something very special, producing an exhibition round of jumping to gain his eighth consecutive victory, exuding class from start to finish; made all, tanked along and jumped impeccably (no sign of any lapses in concentration on this occasion), in command long way out, quickened clear last, hugely impressive; will undoubtedly face stronger opposition and a more competitive scenario in the Arkle at Cheltenham, but with his jumping such a tremendous asset it is hard to see anything laying a glove on him regardless, a Champion Chaser in the making.
26 Dec 15	Leo Grade 1	1/4	18	Chase	G1	17f	Heavy	Mr P. W. Mullins	4/71.57f	1.68	1.68/-	1K	94.3	157	167+
extended his winning sequence, yet to taste defeat since arriving on these shores, not needing to get out of second gear, a couple of late jumping errors (perhaps lapses of concentration) failing to halt his momentum, the world at his feet; disputed lead, tanked along and jumped soundly in the main, went on 4 out, mistake 2 out, in control when not fluent last, had plenty in hand; the Irish Arkle back here next month would appear the obvious stepping stone to Cheltenham, and at this stage it is hard to think of a rival who will mount a serious challenge to such an exciting chasing prospect.
22 Nov 15	Nav Novice	1/14	9.5	Chase	N	17f	Soft	R. Walsh	2/111.18f	1.26	1.26/-	1Kj	112.2	109	145+
last season's best novice hurdler, successful in the Supreme at Cheltenham and the Champion Novice at Punchestown on his last 2 starts, made the most of a good opportunity as he got off the mark over fences at the first time of asking back from 7 months off, simply miles too good for his rivals, the race arguably not much of a learning experience, though he's been so professional in everything he's done up to now to think that that's no concern for when he goes up in grade in this sphere; raced clear, jumped well in main, travelled strongly, reduced advantage briefly home turn, in control when dived at last, had plenty in hand; he's a most exciting novice chase prospect and will continue to take all the beating, reportedly now set to try and succeed where his stable-companion Vautour failed in landing Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown in December.
208 day break
28 Apr 15	Pun Grade 1	1/6	7.5	Hurdle	G1	16f	Gd/Sft	R. Walsh	1/61.16f	1.2	1.19/-	3KJ	112.2		152+
really does look out of the top drawer, strictly not needing to be at his best to follow up from Cheltenham - even if it's believed Sizing John ran to his peak - but again visually most striking, few hurdlers in recent times as quick a jumper as he looks; hurdling impeccably in touch, he made his headway still on the bridle after 2 out and soon took command when produced to lead before the last, once more going clear impressively; will continue to take all the beating, though it's something of a shame the vibes suggest he'll go novice chasing and miss the chance to take on his Champion Hurdle-winning stablemate Faugheen.
10 Mar 15	Chl C Grade 1	1/12	4.5	Hurdle	G1	16.5f	Good	R. Walsh	2/13f	3.56	3.9/-	3kr	95.2		162+
well backed, on less testing ground than previously, added substance to the style of his previous hurdles wins with a most impressive success, his effort exceeding even those by the same connections' Champagne Fever and Vautour in the previous 2 runnings, one of the very best performances in this race; waited with, travelled well, good progress 2 out, led before last, jumped that really well to go further clear, kept on well run-in; he is clearly a top-class 2m hurdler in the making and will give his stable companion Faugheen something to think about this time in 2016 if all goes well, that a mouth-watering prospect, enough options in the meantime presumably to keep them apart.
59 day break
10 Jan 15	Pun Grade 2	1/6	3.75	Hurdle	G2	16f	Heavy	R. Walsh	1/31.33f	1.32	1.38/-	3KJ	101.8		145+
maintained his unbeaten start for this yard with a deeply impressive performance, not needing to improve on his Gowran form but looking a cut above anything else seen out in this division in Ireland this term all the same, winning with any amount in hand; mid-field, jumped impeccably, loomed up entering straight, led on bridle approaching last, cruised clear without his rider having to move a muscle; the Supreme seems his most likely target at Cheltenham at this stage and, on this evidence, he's going to take plenty of beating wherever he turns up, his fluent jumping looking a real asset.
22 Nov 14	Gow Novice	1/8	12	Hurdle	N	16f	Heavy	P. Townend	8/151.53f	1.61	1.65/-	1Kj			146+
was strong in the betting after being the subject of positive reports and looked right out of the top drawer in making a winning Irish debut on first outing since leaving P. Peltier after 6 months off, further adding to his trainer's embarrassment of riches in this division; disputed lead, travelled strongly, jumped well in main, went on third, joined briefly 3 out, asserted between last 2, impressive.
Change of Stable: P. Peltier, France to W. P. Mullins, Ireland
172 day break
3 Jun 14	Com Stks	1/16	2.5	Hurdle	W	16.9f	Soft	Jacques Ricou			/-				112
13 May 14	StM Stks	2/11	5	Hurdle	W	15.9f	Good	Bertrand Lestrade			-/				112+

Future Entries

Date	Course Crs	Time	Race	Dis
There are no current entries for this horse.

Statistics

Code	Runs	Wins	Places	ISP P/L	Best TFR
Hurdle	6	5	1	+3.02	162
Chase	13	10	1	-0.41	176