Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
VAN’S STILL NOT IN TOP GEAR
..but Mullins says he hopes he’ll run in Queen Mother
WILLIE Mullins is cautiously optimistic about having Douvan ready for a crack at the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, two weeks tomorrow.
The champion trainer confirmed yesterday: “He’s doing everything right and its’s probably 60-40 that he’ll get there.”
But he added an air of caution, adding: “We’re coming back, but we’re not back yet. He has bits to do this week and they’ll tell us more.
“I just hope we can get him back to the form he was in last November.”
He also confirmed that Douvan hasn’t jumped a fence since getting injured and won’t be asked to do so until his big day in Cheltenham.
So, all being well, Douvan will join stable-companion Min in the line-up for the two-mile championship.
2015 winner Faugheen is on course for his tilt at reigning champion Buveur D’air in the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
Mullins said: “Everything is great with him. He ran a grand race the last day (in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle), but must up his game.
“He always fires at Cheltenham and hopefully, it’ll re-ignite him. He hasn’t gone downhill at home and seems to be improving all the time. But, maybe, he’ll never reach those heights again.”
Faugheen will be joined in the Champion field by stablemates Melon, Wicklow Brave and Yorkhill, which looks set to revert to hurdling after two poor efforts over fences.
Mullins worked 40 of his likely Cheltenham team and, while running plans for some haven’t been finalised, he confirmed that he intends mounting another strong challenge for the Gold Cup, a race he has yet to win, but has saddled the runner-up six times.
The Gold Cup bid will be led by Killultagh Vic, Djakadam and Total Recall.
Mullins also told reporters: “Vroum Vroum Mag is in great shape. We didn’t think we’d have her back, but she’ll go for the (OLBG) Mares Hurdle. And she might be covered later on in the spring.”
Discussing briefly some of his main novice prospects, he described Laurina, favourite for the Mares Novice Hurdle, as “a top-class filly” and summed-up his thoughts on Arkle favourite Footpad: “His beautiful method of jumping has catapulted him to the top.”
When asked about Ruby Walsh’s fitness ahead of the Festival, he explained, “Ruby is riding out at home and looks very fit.”