Leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed that Douvan, arguably the best horse in his star-studded stables, has fully recovered from the pelvis injury he picked up at Cheltenham in March.

Douvan misfired in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and it was subsequently found that he had a stress fracture.

The seven-year-old is now fully fit and ready to make his return to the track later in the autumn, with speculation suggesting he could appear at the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November.

Mullins told the Irish Independent: “Douvan is in tip-top shape, I am delighted to say.

“The Hilly Way at Cork is a race we’ve had plenty of runners in but with it being in December we’d be inclined to look at an earlier race for his comeback run, potentially.”

With news that Douvan is back, Bookmakers and Punters alike are looking ahead to the antepost markets for the King George in December and the Cheltenham Festival.

Jack Milner of BetVictor told us: “Douvan left punters and fans speechless when finishing fifth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in the spring but Willie Mullins previously unbeaten chaser broke his pelvis in the G1 contest and looks sure to bounce back next term.

“With Arkle winner Altior a monstrous sight over the minimum trip it would be no surprise to see Douvan step up in trip beyond two miles, and is 6/1 with BetVictor for, what looks on paper, one of the most competitive renewals of the King George.

“Beyond Boxing Day, the two-time Festival winner  is 8/1 with BetVictor for the Ryanair Chase, and 10/1 to give trainer Willie Mullins a first success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.”