The combination of trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Ruby Walsh and racehorse owner Rich Ricci promise to be the team to beat at this week's Cheltenham Festival, and they got off to a flier with Douvan in the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

It was third year running they had won the race, having taken in with Champagne Fever and Vautour in 2013 and 2014.

Douvan, a very tall horse and sent off the 2/1 favourite, beat his stablemate Shaneshill with Sizing John in third. Mullins said of the winner: "It's joy and relief. It was good to see that everything he can do at home he was able to do there. If there wasn't so much at stake I suspect Ruby might not have let him come off the bridle - he has huge ability.

"He was very free early on and I thought that might be his undoing if he clipped the top of a hurdle. I didn't expect him to be like that because he's very relaxed at home. We give Ruby a bit of stick when the horse is keen under him at the races.

"Douvan is every inch a chaser - are they famous last words, because I said the same about Faugheen last year. He's got scope and needs to fill out - after a summer at grass I hope he comes back a big, well-muscled horse. He's raw, but has natural ability.

"There's so much work to do we don't feel pressure, just the need to get the job done. You have to get your A, B, C done and complete what's in front of you - there's no time for pressure. I suppose four or five weeks ago when the ante-post betting came out and we had four or five first-day favourites it was a bit of a shock - the amount of expectation is huge, but we have one on the board now and one of the best ones. That's going to make the week a lot easier for us.

"A pal of mine sent me a text this morning, saying 'I'm wishing you the worst day in bookmaking history', which I thought was quite good."

Ruby Walsh said: "He was very keen and it took me a while to settle him, but once he'd settled he did it lovely. He wasn't great at the second-last, but he picked up really sharply going to the bend and suddenly he was in front. He pricked his ears and I thought 'happy days', he has a bit in the tank yet. He saw it out well to the line. He's slick, rather than stupid and he has a big engine. He'll be some horse in the future."

Winning owner Rich Ricci said: "It's unbelievable - three in a row is remarkable. We're very lucky. He jumps easily, he travels well, he's a good mover - he was brilliant. He has been on the go for a bit - he is still raw and when he fills out and matures, he is going to be something.

"I haven't seen the race yet. I never watch it -I always have my back turned because I get too nervous to watch. I stand next to my friend Joe and he tells me how it's going. I did see him come up the stretch."

Owner Graham Wylie was delighted with the performance of 9/1 shot Shaneshill, who finished second. "He's run a big race considering he wasn't quite at full fitness. He could easily have run in tomorrow's race (the Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle) but we've got Nichols Canyon in and Willie (Mullins - trainer) felt we should come here instead. He's won over a bit further and it could be that the two and a half miles will suit him better in time as Paul (Townend - jockey) felt he was flat out all the way. We've got a lot to look forward to."

Townend was also happy enough with the performance. "He's run on well but they were always going a bit quick for him out there," said the jockey. "It's good to soft ground out there - there's a bit of cut in the ground."

Mullins was also quick to praise the runner-up after saddling the first two home. "It was a fantastic run from Shaneshill," said Mullins. "He hasn't had a straight run through the season so there has to be improvement to come. For the future, he could be a chaser or hurdler - he's more of a hurdler than Douvan and he has more of a Flat pedigree."

1.30pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

£120,000 total prize fund. For 4yo+, 2m 110y. Weights: 4yo 10st 13lb; 5yo+ 11st 7lb. Allowances fillies & mares 7lb. Penalty value 1st £68,340.00 2nd £25,644.00 3rd £12,840.00 4th £6,396.00 5th £3,216.00 6th £1,608.00

1) DOUVAN (FR) (Susannah Ricci) Willie Mullins IRE 5-11-7 Ruby Walsh 2/1f

2) SHANESHILL (IRE) (Andrea & Graham Wylie) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-07 Paul Townend 9/1

3) SIZING JOHN (Ann & Alan Potts Partnership) Henry De Bromhead IRE 5-11-07 Johnny Burke 25/1

4) L'AMI SERGE (IRE) (Simon Munir & Isaac Souede) Nicky Henderson 5-11-7 Barry Geraghty

5) QEWY (IRE) (Bloomfields) John Ferguson 5-11-07 Noel Fehily

6) TELL US MORE (IRE) (Gigginstown House Stud) Willie Mullins IRE 6-11-07 Bryan Cooper

7) ALVISIO VILLE (FR) (J P McManus) Willie Mullins IRE 5-11-07 David Casey

8) JOLLYALLAN (J P McManus) Harry Fry 6-11-07 A P McCoy

9) BENTELIMAR (IRE) (James Ryan) Shay Barry IRE 6-11-07 Brian O'Connell

10) SOME PLAN (IRE) (Roger Brookhouse) Tom George 7-11-07 Paddy Brennan

11) VELVET MAKER (FR) (Barry Connell) Tony Martin IRE h6-11-07 Adrian Heskin

UR 4th) SEEDLING (Equis & Chrisopher Spence) Warren Greatrex 6-11-07 Gavin Sheehan

12 ran

Distances: 4½, 2½, 3¼, 8, 3¼, 3, 3¾, ½, 6, 4½

Breeder: S A R L Haras De La Faisanderie

Breeding: b g Walk In The Park (IRE) - Star Face (FR) (Saint Des Saints (FR))

Tote Win £3.00 Place £1.60 £2.50 £7.00 Exacta £18.10