bet365 Racing News |
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| Tuesday 6th November 2018 |
Douvan to Miss Entire Season
Willie Mullins has confirmed that Douvan is set to miss the whole of the jumps season after he sustained an injury at home.
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The eight-year-old was reported to be lame last week, with a stress fracture or ligament tear thought to be the problem, and Mullins originally suggesting it was a minor concern.
Further tests have revealed a more serious problem however and Mullins now believes the Rich Ricci-owned star will be on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.
"I think he is (out for the season), unfortunately," Ireland's champion trainer told Press Association Sport.
"It's the same leg that he had a problem with last year. It's the tendon on the back of the pastern, which is a fairly rare injury.
"It's a similar problem to what Dawn Run had many years ago, I think."
Douvan was unbeaten in his first 13 starts after joining Mullins' squad from France in 2014. His wins included back-to-back successes at the Cheltenham Festival in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Racing Post Arkle Chase.
In 2017 he was sent off a long odds-on favourite win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase but he was beaten for the first time, having sustained an injury during the race, as Special Tiara won for trainer Henry De Bromhead.
A year later he returned to racing for the first time and was leading the Champion Chase when he fell at the fourth last fence. He was then beaten by stablemate Un De Sceaux on his only subsequent start at the Punchestown Festival in April.
Mullins is likely to aim 3/1 chance Footpad at the Queen Mother Champion Chase this term, while reigning two-mile kingpin Altior is 6/4 to retain his crown for Nicky Henderson.
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