IN normal circumstances, Douvan’s very easy win in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase would be headline-hogging material but it was overshadowed by Faugheen’s demonstration of even greater brilliance later on the Leopardstown card.

With just two rivals, Douvan was in effect running a time trial, and what he did in that respect is both relevant and impressive.

The time compares well with the handicap chase won by The Mooch over the same course and distance 35 minutes later, though it should be acknowledged that the latter contest was run at a particularly strong pace and ended with a pedestrian finish.

Douvan bounded clear not only of Velvet Maker and Domesday Book in his race proper but would have done the same with everything in the handicap when it mattered.

His timefigure comes out at 159, compared to 160 at this course and distance over Christmas. On neither occasion was he at all pushed, and the sky does seem the limit for him.

It has to be said, however, that the two-mile novice chasers seem a notably strong bunch overall.

Ar Mad and Vaniteux ran timefigures of 159 and 157 at Kempton over Christmas, and the latter replicated that at Doncaster last Saturday.

If Douvan can do to them what he has so far done to others then we really will have another superstar on our hands.