Douvan can defy lengthy absence

The clash of Douvan, Altior, and Min in this afternoon’s Betway Champion Chase is even more than we could have hoped for as a feature on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.

It is a fascinating race, particularly as Douvan is having his first run since picking up an injury in this race in 2017. That ended his perfect record since joining Willie Mullins, but he’s back to redeem his reputation — and can do so.

It’s not ideal that he hasn’t had a prep run, but connections would not be running him unless they were sure he was going to produce something very close to his best.