Douvan proved a class above his rivals to follow up his impressive Arkle success with an equally stylish victory in the Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree.
Although his jumping was far from perfect over the first three fences, the 2-13 favourite quickly warmed to the task before disposing of his rivals with the minimum of fuss.
Tracking Alisier D'Irlande throughout the two-mile prize the six-year-old breezed past with a slick jump over the fourth-last.
As the long-time leader wilted it was left to The Game Change to go off in pursuit of the Willie Mullins-trained machine, but it was a task that proved impossible.
Finding another gear on the run down to the final fence the Rich Ricci-owned winner saved his best until last, producing a superb leap before cantering away in effortless fashion to score by 14 lengths, completing a quickfire double for Mullins and jockey Paul Townend after striking with Yorkhill earlier on the card.
Townend said afterwards: "That was some experience. I was doing a half-speed everywhere.
"He had a little look between the last two (fences), I gave him a squeeze and I've never felt anything pick up like it. I had so much horse underneath me.
"It's unbelievable the firepower Willie Mullins has and I'm very fortunate to be in the position I am, to step in when Ruby (Walsh) had the misfortune like he had yesterday.
"He has so much natural ability and for a big horse he's very clever.
"He's a gent to do anything with at home - he's a big, friendly giant.
"He covers so much ground and does everything so easy.
