Douvan- discuss

We are constantly told this is the best horse Mullins has ever had, really?
Look at the horses hurricane fly would beat evet time he raced, he was beating proper grade 1 horses,
Look at the horses sprinter sacre used to beat, proper grade 1 horses,
Look at the horses kauto and denman used to beat, proper grade 1 horses,
I'd love to see Douvan beat someone like altior or a peak sprinter sacre the way he's been beating inferior opposition up to now,
Until the day he does that I won't be convinced.

There’s no doubt he is top class in a year where open class two milers are in short supply. It is establishing where he lies in the pantheon of top horses overall is the tricky matter. Altior in the Tingle Creek or else stepping up to King George is probably the first time he will face meaningful opposition with both still a while away.

It is something that’s developed as a theme with Mullins in recent seasons - the better the horse the more protective they are with them. Contrast that with Elliot or Nicholls who are more willing the test them.

He's turned up for the Supreme novice hurdle, the Champion novice hurdle, Arkle chase, Grade 1s at Punchestown and Aintree, and Leopardstown Grade 1 and hasn't come off the bridle yet.

I can't see how you can say Mullins is protecting him or not testing him. Isn't he heading for the QM next? There's not much more Mullins can do

I'd be nearly sure we are seeing better National Hunt horses in Ireland now than 10 years ago, but with the likes of WPM and elliot taking it to a different level, it has become far less interesting from a sporting perspective.

Can't wait for the flat to begin myself. World-class as well, but more competitive.

In fairness you’re correct FTV, the horse has turned up to plenty of dances and it’s not Mullins fault that there has been a lack of opposition. Plus willie has won all the two mile chases of consequence this season between him and UDS.

My contention more so would be that this is probably the best horse in training but won’t be brought out of his comfort zone this season. Hopefully he stretches out to 2m4f in the Melling Chase. On a general point, willie is known for not taking any chances with his top horses and won’t run them unless they are 110%. He wouldn’t entertain, say, running Apples Jade in the Hattons Grace a week after falling. The pursuit of cheltenham winners (regardless of the race) also led to annie power running in the mares & vautour running in the ryanair. It would be nice to see a few more clashes given he houses the largest quantity of G1 material in UK & Ire.

Mullins is good with novice chasers because he scares a lot of trainers off with his multiple entries.
He has a poor record when they come out of novice company. For a trainer of his stature and with all his ammunition at his disposal, it is criminal that he has never won a Gold Cup or a Champion Chase.

You are spot on there. Until he wins a GC he can never be compared with the likes of Bradstock and Culloty as an all time great of the training game.

The better comparison would be Tom Dreaper,Vincent OBrien and more up to date Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson.

A horse can do no more than beat whats running against him but for me he has never given me that wow feeling.
He's my lay for Cheltenham.

30/100 FOR THE champion chase Wildman, if he wins at least you wont go broke

Agree with wildman, he's never given me that wow feeling in a way that so many horses have over the years, it's boring watching him trot around beating nothing of note, as said before if he beat someone like sprinter sacre then by all means everyone would be entitled to get excited, his legacy will be always tainted if he continues to beat the rubbish he's beat to date.

Douvan brushes through the top of the cheltenham steeplechase fences
Ultimately he will get one completely wrong
He will either get in too close and hit the stiffer base or he will brush through the top of a downhill fence and land badly
If he doesnt then he is a winning machine
..... however if he is under pressure then who knows what might happen ?

I think he's completely a "wow" horse.

Sizing John is a grade 1 winner and multiple graded winner.

Douvan makes him look moderate, it's like saying Frankel beat nothing when he used to hammer excelebration.

He'll win the QM on the bridle and PP will pay out a week earlier.

With the arkle and the champion chase looking like the favs will go of longs odds on the  the real value might be an an e/way double, the bookies will pay 1/4 the odds on both races, much will depend on how many runners in each race.

Eh? Frankel beat a lot more then excelebration,
He beat multiple group winners including Canford Cliffs, poets voice, d!ck Turpin,Dubawi gold, twice over, Farhh, st Nichols abbey, Nathaniel and cirrus des aigles, when douvan does similar then he will be a "wow" horse

Does anyone here  think Douvan beats a peak sprinter sacre?

If you are thinking of laying this horse, then what have you running for you?

You are praying UDS goes this route imho. Its a very weak division

Very disappointing today, anything come to light as to why he ran so poorly?

What a Cheltenham the wildman is having by the way, labaik, fayonah followed by a lay of Douvan

I'd wager he hurt his back after screwing the first

Found to be lame behind...

not much to discuss. just a flat track bully who's been overhyped.

altoir would put him readily to the sword.

you're being a little unkind to wildman TTK altho' it is surprising he's not been around; convalescing maybe.

Elliott dominance versus Mullins blowout so far.....what the hell is going on?

Mar 16, 2017 -- 11:06AM, lewisham ranger wrote:

not much to discuss. just a flat track bully who's been overhyped.altoir would put him readily to the sword.

You think he ran his race there? He was sound to be lame behind post race for god sake.

he didn't run his race but he's still not as good as they think. as the original poster said what horses has he beat? reaches for his fences as well.

altoir/yorkhill would give him a good shafting.

although can see willie dropping back un de sceaux for queen mum next year and aiming yorkhill at gold cup. douvan might go up in distance and try and plod out a ryanair

You must have laid the bollocks off him, then.

only decent horse he has ever beaten was a 3miler running over 2 miles all be it that he would have hosed up Wednesday had he not decided to start taking off 2 strides from every fence. The current standard of 2 milers is horrendous....

Stress fracture in his pelvis confirmed. Willie is happy it's only that.
Remember 12 months ago Douvan was awesome. Class is permanent