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Douvan takes on stablemates at Punchestown

Douvan ridden by Ruby Walsh before winning the Paddy Power Cashcard Chase during day two of the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse. PRESS ASSOCI
Image: Douvan

Douvan will face nine rivals as he bids to atone for a fall at Cheltenham in the BoyleSports Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.

The crack two-miler came down at the fourth-last when going well in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on his first start since finishing seventh in the same race a year ago.

The eight-year-old is one of four runners from the Willie Mullins team along with Queen Mother runner-up Min, Ballycasey and Un De Sceaux, who was second in this race behind Fox Norton 12 months ago.

Title-chasing rival Gordon Elliott saddles A Toi Phil, Doctor Phoenix, Tell Us More and The Game Changer.

Fox Norton's trainer Colin Tizzard has a leading contender in Finian's Oscar for the Growise Champion Novice Chase.

He is among 11 horses declared for the three-mile heat as he attempts to back up his victory at Aintree earlier this month.

Mullins has three live challengers in Cheltenham National Hunt Chase scorer Rathvinden, Al Boum Photo and Invitation Only, who were first and third in the Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

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Elliott goes for glory with a five-strong team comprising of Dounikos, Jury Duty, Monbeg Notorious, The Storyteller and Shattered Love.

The Mullins-trained Getabird heads a field of 10 for the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle, in which his rivals include Draconien, Hardline and Sharjah, who finished behind him in that order at Fairyhouse three weeks ago.

Great Field misses Punchestown

Great Field has suffered a setback which has ruled him out of the BoyleSports Champion Chase at Punchestown on Tuesday.

The seven-year-old, who had only returned from a 330-day absence at Navan last month, is likely to be out until the autumn.

"He's had a bit of a setback which means he can't run," said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus.

"You'll probably won't see him until the autumn."

Trained by Willie Mullins, Great Field had been expected to be among the declared runners for the Grade One contest over two miles after taking his winning run to five.

He had seemingly booked his place with victory over Doctor Phoenix in the Webster Cup Chase, on his first start since he took the Ryanair Chase at this meeting last spring.

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