Mullins - Douvan 'as good as we've ever had'

Deadly Douvan followed up his Cheltenham heroics with a second Grade 1 in as many months, easily winning the top level Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown today for trainer Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

Following's today's win, Mullins described Douvan as "as good as we've ever had" and while in truth the 1/6 favourite faced a lesser challenge than at Cheltenham, he again quickened up tremendously well in the home straight for an effortless seven and a half lengths win over Sizing John

His impressed Champion Trainer latest stated "he's just been like that all season and at home has answered all our questions- he could be anything.

"He'd probably have to be as good as we've ever had and while he's not a Hurricane Fly type of horse, he's a chaser really.

"The way he was jumping his hurdles, he was just flicking them and the last was probably his biggest jump.

"He's an amazing athlete, has size and scope and he's almost 17 hands - he's extraordinary.

"He's way more efficient jumping than Faugheen every was and I can't wait to get him over a fence but we'll discuss it with connections. Rich (Ricci, owner) also has Faugheen for the Champion Hurdle so it's a nice problem to have."

He added "we'll put him away now and decide whether he'll stay hurdling or go chasing. It looks like he should go chasing but the way he jumps hurdles he looks like a real decent hurdler."

Regarding the ground, Mullins said "I walked the track last night and thought the ground was fast enough, especially the first mile, but he handled it very well."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson