DOUVAN SET FOR RETURN
DOUVAN is one of 10 entries for the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday. Willie Mullins had initially ruled the star chaser out for the season when he was forced to miss the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown, deciding on a ‘conservative approach’ to his recovery.
However, the noises have been much more positive of late following veterinary reports and Douvan has been given an entry for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, having not run since being pulled up there last March.
Owner Rich Ricci said last month it was ‘50-50’ he would make Cheltenham, adding: ‘I’m hopeful he will make the Festival, but everything has to go right. At the moment, it is all systems go.’
Mullins has also entered Bellshill and Ballycasey.
As expected, Jessica Harrington has given last season’s Irish Grand National winner Our Duke the option after his encouraging run in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown behind Edwulf.
Prior to that he had only been seen once this term, at Down Royal in November when it transpired he was suffering from a kissing spine.
Pat Kelly’s smart novice Presenting Percy is also a possible, along with A Toi Phil, Ball D’Arc, Valseur Lido, Sumos Novios and Val De Ferbert.
In the Red Mills Trial Hurdle, Mullins has entered Bacardys, Abbyssial, Lagostovegas and Pravalaguna among 12. Gordon Elliott’s Grade One winner Mick Jazz could be stepped up in trip, with stablemates Tombstone and The Game Changer in the mix along with Henry de Bromhead’s Identity Thief.
Meanwhile,Vroum Vroum Mag is among 10 entries for the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.
The nine-year-old has not been sighted since finishing lame at the Punchestown Festival in April and retirement had been mentioned for the versatile mare.
Mullins has also entered Augusta Kate, Bacardys, Bapaume and Let’s Dance for the Grade Two over two miles and five furlongs.
Gordon Elliott has three possibles in Diamond Cauchois, Lieutenant Colonel and Tiger Roll.