Douvan is likely to target the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, connections have confirmed.
The 10-year-old had been set to run at Leopardstown over the Christmas period but was forced to miss the event due to injury and could next be seen at the Festival.
“It’s possible he’ll go straight to Cheltenham. He wouldn’t run before it,” said Patrick Mullins, assistant to his trainer father Willie, as reported by Sky Sports.
“If he makes Cheltenham great, if he doesn’t we’ll look for something after Cheltenham.
“We’re taking it week by week with him. He’s obviously very fragile, but he’s entered in Cheltenham and the plan is to get him to Cheltenham.
“He’s here in the yard, he’s been ridden out so we’re just stepping him up slowly. We’ve got a bit of time at the moment. We don’t have to press any buttons just yet. It’s so far, so good.”