Dazzling Douvan completes festival hat-trick at Punchestown

All attempts to temper enthusiasm and curb expectation were lost in just two words: “just spectacular.”

Persuasive comment from winning rider Ruby Walsh, in perfect summary of yet another stunningly bloodless victory for Douvan, this time in the Grade One Ryanair Novice Chase on day three of the Punchestown festival.

With the week’s previous disappointments - the likes of Yorkhill and Cue Card - fresh in the mind, the layers were quick to push the pink button when the six-year-old acted up in the parade ring. But once Walsh jumped on board, he quietened down, and went about his business, ready to serve up another exhibition.