Boylesports Tied Cottage Chase
Grade 2, Punchestown 15:00 €45,000 added, 4yo plus, 2m, Class 1
Sunday 5th February 2017

1 Douvan 1/14F
2 Realt Mor 33/1
3 Draycott Place 33/1
4 ran Distances: 6½l, 31l
Time: 4m 15.40s (slow by 17.40s)

The Mighty Douvan gives an exhibition of jumping

Douvan
© Caroline Norris

Ruby Walsh took the initiative from an early stage and his mount showed his customary brilliance to see off three rivals that were always up against it according to official ratings and the odds.

Douvan, the 1/3 favourite with Sky Bet for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, was sent off 1/14 and he didn't appear to come out of second gear as he warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival in style.

Realt Mor finished a distant second with Draycott Place third. Smashing, the only other runner, was pulled up at half way

Walsh was more than satisfied with Douvan's effort, and was also pleased to see plenty of racegoers had turned out to see his mount in action.

He told At The Races: "He just sauntered along at the front at his own speed, did his own thing and I gave him a squeeze at the second last, he jumped right out of the bridle.

"He won as he liked - or how you would have expected him to really.

"He just has a huge amount of natural ability and is a pleasure to ride.

"Cork had a great crowd when he turned up there and then Leopardstown and here. He is a wonderful horse and it's great to see people coming out to watch him."

Boylesports Tied Cottage Chase
Grade 2, €45,000 added, 5yo plus, 2m, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Soft to Heavy

Pos	Dist	Horse SP	Jockey Weight	Trainer	Age
1st		Douvan (FR) 1/14f	R Walsh 11-12	W P Mullins	7
2nd	6½	Realt Mor (IRE) 33/1	J W Kennedy 11-4	G Elliott	12
3rd	31	Draycott Place (IRE) 33/1	D E Mullins 11-4	J P Ryan	8
PU		Smashing (FR) 12/1	D N Russell 11-10	M F Morris	8