Douvan© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins could not have been more upbeat about Douvan ahead of his bid to justify favouritism in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The five-year-old is two from two since arriving in Ireland at the start of the campaign, slamming subsequent Grade One winner Sizing John in scintillating style at Gowran Park before emphatically following up at Punchestown.
Mullins said: "He does everything right. He's as nice a horse as we've had ever going to Cheltenham.
"Has he been beaten? No. That will do me.
"He's just got lots of natural ability.
"Every time we do something with him he comes up with the answer."
Douvan is the star name among a stellar list in the novice hurdle department for the master of Closutton.
Mullins said: "Nichols Canyon, I reckon he'll end up in the Neptune. He'd have no problem staying.
"People are saying he could be the next Inglis Drever for his owner (Graham Wylie).
"I will have to see how Shaneshill works. He's missed a bit of time but he's coming back and if Nichols Canyon goes for the Neptune, Shaneshill could then go for the Supreme.
"Alvisio Ville is in the Neptune and the Supreme, but I'd imagine, connections-wise, they will be happier to go for the shorter distance (Supreme).
"I thought he learnt more bad habits than good ones at Leopardstown last time.
"Tell Us More could go for the Supreme or the Neptune. I would prefer to go for the Neptune, but it will depend on how he gallops between now and then. If he doesn't work well we won't go at all.
"I would imagine Outlander will be for the Neptune and Aminabad runs on Sunday and we'll see what happens there.
"Black Hercules is likely going for the Albert Bartlett. I think he has Albert Bartlett written all over him.
"McKinley can go either way - probably more likely is the Neptune."
Prolific mare Annie Power has not yet been seen in action this season and although the OLBG Mares' Hurdle remains her likely Cheltenham target, Mullins is not ruling out a second crack at the World Hurdle, having found only More Of That too strong last season. Glens Melody runner-up behind Quevega in the Mares' Hurdle 12 months ago, is on course for another bid.
"She's hit every target we've wanted her to hit since we started back with her at the new year," said Mullins.
"We'll look at the Stayers' Hurdle (World Hurdle), but I'm aiming her at the Mares' Hurdle at the moment.
"If they keep falling out of the Stayers' Hurdle, who knows."
Mullins has three potential runners in the Triumph Hurdle.
He said: "Dicosimo is probably going for the Triumph Hurdle. He might run this Sunday and I think the form of the horses he's raced against has said he could possibly the best of our three.
"Petite Parisienne won the Grade One in Leopardstown and is a very good mare, and Kalkir (second to Petite Parisienne put in a very good performance and I think he'll improve from that."
