DOUVAN’S DONE IN
DOUVAN, who was 3-1 second favourite for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, will miss the rest of the season his trainer Willie Mullins has revealed.
Irish champion jumps trainer Mullins admitted his horse has struggled recently.
And he said: “I haven’t been happy with Douvan over the past few days.
“He appeared to have recovered from the problem that ruled him out of the Tingle Creek Chase but has been intermittently lame since we started doing more with him during the week.
“I have spoken to his owner, Rich Ricci, and because of the calibre of horse Douvan is we’ve decided to take a conservative approach and consequently he won’t be running this season.”
The seven-year-old, beaten only once in 10 starts over fences, is a six-time Grade One winning chaser.
Douvan last ran when suffering his only defeat over fences at the Cheltenham Festival in March when he finished seventh in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
MULLAGHMURPHY BLUE (1.10) can triumph for Irish handler Jim Dreaper at Musselburgh as long as the meeting survives an inspection.
A winner over course and distance last month, the promising novice chaser should still be in peak condition after his good second over hurdles at Ludlow last month.
LADY LONDON (12.40) can kickstart a lucrative day at the Lothian venue for Rose Dobbin.
The mare scored in good style over course and distance last time and can confirm her superiority over the runner-up Apachee Prince in her current mood.
The Northumbrian handler can double up with ROMULUS DU DONJON (2.15) in the three-miler.
The six-year-old stayed on strongly to beat the progressive Manny Owens over 2m 4f at Catterick and can come on plenty upped in trip.
Dobbin can make it three when DOKTOR GLAZ (2.50) takes the Racing UK Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old was unlucky to run into the useful Golden Investment at Wetherby last time and can go one better off a workable mark.
In-form handler Donald McCain can add the novice hurdle to his tally with SONIC (1:40).
The son of Vinnie Roe has shown some respectable form.
Thriving handler Nicky Richards can hit the target once again with WOT A SHOT (3:20).