Rich Ricci opens up on Douvan dilemma

Owner Rich Ricci has expanded on the thinking behind Douvan possibly sidestepping the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday and instead running in the Ryanair Chase the following day.

The Willie Mullins-trained superstar has not been seen in competitive action since suffering a shock defeat and injury in last year's Champion Chase, but the multiple Irish champion trainer had stated his intention to let the eight-year-old line up in the two-mile showpiece again alongside fellow Ricci-owned stable companion Min.

However, Mullins and his leading owner are now considering splitting their aces, with Douvan now set to take on another stablemate in Un De Sceaux in the Ryanair.

Speaking to Matt Chapman for the On The Line programme on At The Races on Sunday evening, Ricci said: "I'm sorry if I've upset anyone, it certainly wasn't our intention. I picked up the phone to Willie yesterday, because we'd not had a conversation all week, I'd left him to the horses and everything and what he needs to do to get ready for Cheltenham.

"We were going through the string and I said 'where are we with the Champion Chase?'. He didn't come out and say Min was the number one choice, but he did hint that Min is working very well, and for Douvan it's a big ask and while he's fit and well, I'm not sure he's sharp enough for the two-mile trip.

"So I asked him the question, if that's the case why wouldn't we consider running Douvan in the Ryanair Chase, it makes sense to me. So we talked about it and agreed we'd sleep on it, it was a decent idea and let's think about it.

"I thought the response on social media was very balanced, people get it. The reasons we keep out options open with these entry fees, which aren't cheap, is we might want to change our mind.

"I think we did the right thing and we'll make our minds up tomorrow."

He added: "It's so good to have him back, the fact he's running there is all I'm worried about. Hopefully he travels well, he runs in whatever race he's going to run in and we'll worry about next year next year. It's good to have him back.

"Willie told me Douvan is well in himself, he's fit, but as he's said publicly it's a massive ask to come and win the Champion Chase or any race at Cheltenham. The sense I get just listening to Willie is he's not as good as he probably was before the Tingle Creek, where he was cherry ripe and firing away, and might not be as good as before last season.

"That doesn't mean he can't come back better than last year, but I still think it will take a good one to beat him. I think he will be competitive, I hope he runs a big race and with a bit of luck you never know, he might get his head in front."

Of the chance Cheltenham might revitalise the likes of Douvan and Faugheen, Ricci said: "Cheltenham is a course where course form is really important, so hopefully they'll come back, recognise the surroundings, get excited and run big races."