Douvan is "deadly"

Walk In The Park’s brilliant flagbearer Douvan (7g Walk In The Park-Star Face, by Saint Des Saints) warmed up for the G1 Champion Chase at Cheltenham with an effortless victory in the G2 Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

The son of Walk In The Park, a 1/14 chance, coasted around to take the two-mile event under Ruby Walsh in a dominant display. Bookmakers rate him a 1/3 chance to win the Champion Chase after this latest facile win.

"He's deadly. He just sauntered around at his own speed and he has done his own thing," said Walsh. "I gave him a squeeze at the back of the second last and he jumped out through the bridle. He won as he liked — probably as you'd expect him to win. "I'd suppose it's the old adage — the better horse you ride, the faster they go and the easier it is to ride them. He just has a huge amount of natural ability — he's a pleasure to ride. "You don't have to do anything on him — you just have to sit there. If he wants to go in he goes in and if he wants to stand out he stands out. "Cork got a great crowd when he turned up there, Leopardstown the same and here today. He's a wonderful horse and it's great to see people coming out to watch him."