RUBY Walsh is relishing a potential clash between crack two-milers Douvan and Altior this season.

Walsh has steered the Willie Mullins-trained Douvan to nine of his 13 victories since he arrived in Ireland, including Cheltenham Festival victories in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Arkle Trophy.

However, he heads into the new campaign on a retrieval mission having suffered a shock defeat and injury in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Prestbury Park in March.

Nicky Henderson's Altior won each of his six starts as a novice over fences last season and is the marginal favourite for next year's Champion Chase at 6-4, with Douvan a general 3-1 shot.

Speaking to Racing UK Club Magazine, Walsh said: "The flawless Altior against a rejuvenated Douvan will be some head-to-head. We might have to wait until the Champion Chase at Cheltenham as both horses could remain at home in England and Ireland respectively - but it will be worth the wait.

"I've made no secret of my regard for Douvan and, going into the 2017 Cheltenham Festival, he had justified my faith, winning every one of his 13 starts for us. Of course, things didn't go to plan in March when he was seventh in the Champion Chase, after which he was found to be lame.

"Douvan was crowned the highest-rated horse in Britain or Ireland last season, but Altior was only rated 4lb inferior, which was amazing for a novice.

"Altior is unbeaten over obstacles and has shown more at novice level than Douvan had, according to official ratings.

"The bookies have Altior as the favourite (for the Champion Chase) at the time of writing, but I wouldn't want to swap Douvan."