Douvan/Vautour/Djakadam

Vautour no chance in the CC, Douvan no chance in the GC, Djakadam no chance in the Ryanair. Mullins will want his horses to have some sort of chances to enter them for a festival race so he'll go:

Vautour, Djak - Gold Cup
Douvan - Champion Chase

It's a long shot I just don't know how much Mullins wants to win the Gold Cup and we all know how talented Douvan is. He's not my idea of a Gold Cup horse, always struck me as a Champion Chase winner in the making.

But to say that Vautour stands no chance in a Champion Chase is nonsense. Un De Sceaux has shown his limitations now and I would be surprised if he isn't sent to France next season where he will get his ground and pick up all the attractive prize money along the way.

Mullins was quick to say that they may have to look at alternative options for Djakadam and I don't think the Ryanair trip would be any problem to him.

I'm convinced Ricci won't throw 2 at the Gold Cup so it's between Vautour/Douvan which one goes for the Champion Chase and which one goes for the Gold Cup.

Mullins will throw other darts at the Ryanair/Cup such as Black Hercules, Killultagh Vic, Shaneshill, Valseur Lido etc.

When you say we know how much talented Douvan is, do you base it on gallop works? Because last I checked he couldn't get rid of Vaniteux until that one fell and in his novice hurdle days he barely got pass an average horse in Shaneshill.

I don't think Vautour is better than UDS, even over 2 and half. Stands `no` meaning little chances because even in this weak division he has no speed and will only just stay on and on without making any ground on them. Vautour has far bigger chances of winning the GC next season because Cossack will be older and could be found out by some younger legs, even those of Djak.

The Ryanair I think its safe to say Vautour, Djak and Douvan won't take part in next season because he has so many other chasers that'll come from this year novice ranks that could go for that instead.

Unbeaten hurdler and unbeaten chaser who won the Arkle a second quicker than Sprinter Sacre won the Champion Chase. No one in their right mind genuinely thinks Vaniteux would have served it up to him had he stayed on his feet surely?

Maybe you should explain why he couldn't get rid of him then. Overall times mean nothing in horse racing, especially over jumps. Sectionals do indeed point to quality horses but CC and Arkle were run in much different styles. People keep forgetting it is the novices who need to prove it in open company not the other way around and basing your assumption on overall time is like you're suggesting SS is the one that has to improve.

Punchestown could be Mullins playground with Vautour at least, if he runs really well in the Irish CC then he may alter plans but right now having the Ryanair box checked I can't see them not running him in the Gold Cup.

Vautour going for the Punchestown 2 miler seems to indicate a preference for shorter targets.
The Punch Gold Cup could have resolved whether he truly stays or not.

timtin Vaniteux was being pushed along heavily along with Sizing John from 3 out. Ruby hadn't moved an inch on Douvan who was cruising and put in a great leap 2 out when Vaniteux made his mistake. Douvan still on the bridle when Vaniteux came to challenge between 3 out and 2 out. Do you want Ruby to kick for home or something at this point when he's got so much horse under him and still in 3rd gear? You seem a hard man to impress.

Agree cyclops, if they really wanted to know if he was a GC horse for next season he would be running against Don Cossack and Cue Card at Punchestown. The fact he's dropping back to 2 miles looks significant.

Don Cossack ruled out of Punchestown after picking up a tendon injury - your move Mr Mullins!

^ And potentially may not run again.

@cyclops, they know he stays, that wasn't Mullins issue. The problem going for the GC was whether they could beat DC or CC and after failing to beat CC in the KG Mullins took the easier path and provided us with 'not working well' excuse. The Ryanair is stepping stone for GC horses so he's more than likely to be going for it next season. The Punchestown is an experiment and only if puts a v good display Mullins will reconsider his route. My estimate is he'll scramble home as 2 miles is too sharp for him.

@Paterson I didn't said I wasn't impressed by Douvan but clearly not as impressed as you or Timeform, etc have him rated. Remember Timeform also had UDS at 180 rating based on going well against novices or average opponents and then look what happened in open company. Ruby actually started to niggle Douvan once Vaniteux came on his outside. V. even conceded some ground going very wide on that final turn and I'm not saying he would've won but not being able to get rid of him is a sign that in terms of quality he's not so far ahead of average, as you and others seem to make him to be. I get the GC angle from his physical size as he looks like a boat but stamina is not something that comes with size, is something that is tested and as of yet he hasn't raced above 2 miles so talks of going for GC or even for KG are over the top and hype discussions.

Vautour can be backed at 10/1 here for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham next year; this is value surely if he wins at Punchestown easily next week over similar distance.

If Vautour wins easily tomorrow the 10/1 will be slashed for the CC. However, on a right handed track running over a distance he hasn't gon ein 2 years I think he might actually struggle to win tomorrow.

Yhe impression remains that Douvan is Ricci  WPMs jewel among their chasers. Still seems a big price at 16s for Gold Cup in 2 books for Gold Cup. Cant see Ricci winning it with Djakadam or Vautor, and now Ricci fancies a step up in trip next season and mentions King George as possible then Im happy on 16s for GC.