NATIONAL HUNT COUNTDOWN By MARK KEATING
However, those exact calculations gave me a higher figure for Douvan. He got a 179 for beating Sizing John at Leopardstown and he scored that hard held on the bridle. Therefore, I would expect Douvan - on all known form - to be a better horse that Altior but obviously he is likely to improve. With this in mind, I believe that Douvan should stick to two miles which could see Min going up in trip. RIch and Sussanah Ricci own both horses as they do There has been some talk of him going up in trip and his Djakadam. The twice Gold Cup runner up looked the winner all the way to two out last season at his third temperament would certainly help him get home over further. The success of Sizing John is further reason for attempt of the blue riband but seemingly emptied from there on to come home a tired fourth. It has since been it as Douvan regularly beat him by distance over two suggested by Mullins that the horse may now come miles. back in trip which would likely see him line up in the However, keeping him to two miles might be a better option as there is unlikely to be a better horse at that trip Ryanair Chase in March. from Willie Mullins' stable. Injury also setback Min last year, who didn't even get to Cheltenham and old foe If Douvan sticks to two miles and Djakadam goes to the Altior is likely to be waiting in the Champion Chase next Ryanair then that would very possibly see Min as RIcci's March. On their only meeting in the 2016 Supreme Gold Cup hope. Like Douvan, Min is by Walk in the Park Novices' Hurdle, Altior beat Min by seven lengths and and also has that laid back temperament which would while a mistake at the third and a guess at the fourth likely see him home over further. Min is by Montjeu who didn't help Min's chances there is no reason to believe is a son of Saddler's Wells and he is out of a grandthat the best horse didn't win the race. daughter of Top Ville. The mix of Saddler's Wells and Top Ville produced the great four time Ascot Gold Cup winner, Yeats. There is plenty of stamina evident there Altior last season took the step out of novice company on two occasions and both times won handy. At his best and he is inbred to both Top Ville (4 X 3) and Saddler's Wells' sire, Northern Dancer (4 X 5). last season, I found he ran to a potential 172 in the Granted, Min can run keen in his races and he'll have to Game Spirit Chase by my own calculations of race learn to settle but if he does and Ricci and Mullins efficiency and distance of his win over classy Fox Norcampaign the other horses as looks likely, then I think ton. This unofficial figure is his best for me and he the stamina is on the page for Min to turn into a Gold achieved it all out. Cup contender of which Betfair price him up at 9/1.
The quality national hunt racing is fast approaching and it won't be long until superstars like Douvan will be unleashed. A stress fracture of the ileum was the reason for his below par display in the Queen Mother Champion Chase but despite the disappointment, the injury has a good prognosis and Douvan should be back to his best this season.