VAN RETURN ‘A VICTORY’

WILLIE MULLINS yesterday hailed Douvan’s return to action at Clonmel today as like a win in itself.

The Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned nine-year-old, an eight-time Grade 1 winner (right), makes his comeback in the Grade 2

Clonmel Oil Chase after a 569-day absence from the course.

“Clonmel is not the sort of place I envisaged him going, but the conditions of the race suit and he is in nice form,” said Mullins.

“We just need to get him back out and see how he is. I’m happy to let him take his chance.

“It’s nearly a victory to have him ready to run, coming from where we’ve been with him, and it’s a good start off in this type of race rather than go to Leopardstown first time out.”

■ AL BOUM PHOTO is set to defend his Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup crown on the back of just one run at Tramore on New Year’s Day.