Mullins hopes Douvan injury is just ‘mild hiccup’

DOUVAN is undergoing scans and X-rays with Willie Mullins (right) fearing that his star two-mile chaser may have suffered a stress fracture or a ligament tear.

The eight-year-old has been plagued by injury since coming home lame in the 2017 Champion Chase but made an unexpected comeback for this year’s renewal before falling when travelling strongly four out.

Rich Ricci’s charge then chased home Un De Sceaux at Punchestown and big things were expected this season but this latest setback leaves his future up in the air.

“He was lame the other morning, I sent him straight up to the vet. He’s lame on his good leg, he had trouble on his near fore previously but he’s sore on the other leg,” Mullins said.

“We’re getting scans and X-rays to find the problem, there was nothing obvious to see. It might be a stress fracture or a little ligament tear, the vet can’t feel it with his hands.

“Obviously, any time a good horse is lame it’s a concern. Hopefully, he won’t be out for long and we’ll know in a day or two. I was going to extend him out in trip this year.

“Rich was over last week, he was delighted with how he looked. He looked better than he did last year. Hopefully, this is only a mild hiccup.”