'Douvan's season certainly didn't end the way we wanted it to'

Mid-November and winter is preparing to bite. A time of year when Willie Mullins traditionally starts to unwrap his big-name performers and consequently a time of year that his stable jockey Ruby Walsh always treats with great anticipation and excitement.

This season the Mullins-trained stars due to make their return in the near future include multiple Grade 1 winners Faugheen and Douvan, both of whom will be attempting to re-establish themselves at the top of their respective disciplines.

Seven-time Grade 1 scorer Faugheen, winner of the 2015 Champion Hurdle, has not run since landing the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January of last year. He was due to return in the same race this year but was withdrawn lame.