Sit back and enjoy a Douvan masterclass

Backing DOUVAN in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase will certainly not make you rich, so perhaps it is best to just sit back and enjoy the ride as he looks unassailable on day two at Cheltenham.

While many star names are missing from the festival, the Willie Mullins-trained Douvan is the one that National Hunt fans cannot wait to see strut his stuff.

Douvan has won at the last two Festivals, in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle, and provided he puts in his usual sound round of jumping then he should outclass the opposition.

He is nine out of nine over fences and looked as good as ever when strolling home in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown last month in his last public appearance.

With Douvan certain to go off at long odds-on, there may be each-way value in Henry Bromhead’s Special Tiara for a place. ALPHA DES OBEAUX found only Thistlecrack too good in last year’s World Hurdle and the Irish raider can go one better in the RSA Chase.

Mouse Morris’ charge is clearly suited by the better ground conditions in the spring and by three miles.

However, the only time he has run over that trip over fences was a big disappointment as he broke a blood vessel in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and was pulled up.

SELECTIONS

CHELTENHAM: 1.30 Neon Wolf, 2.10 ALPHA DES OBEAUX (NAP), 2.50 Tombstone, 3.30 Douvan, 4.10 Cantlow, 4.50 Dino Velvet, 5.30 Carter McKay.

HUNTINGDON: 1.45 Christmas in April, 2.25 That’s The Deal, 3.05 Al Reesha, 3.45 Quill Art, 4.25 Next Exit, 5.05 Beneagles, 5.40 Doux Pretender.

DOUBLE: Alpha Des Obeaux and Douvan.