Douvan is back in light training but Willie Mullins believes it is too early to say whether the star two-mile chaser will run this season.
The Rich Ricci-owned eight-year-old has not been seen since he sustained a pelvic injury when suffering a shock defeat in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham last March.
He had been set to reappear in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December but was not declared, with Mullins reporting he had not been totally happy with him in the days before the race.
He subsequently ruled him out for the entire campaign, but Mullins said: "He's back cantering and we are doing that for a few weeks to see how he progresses. We will take things slowly.
"I don't know and I don't want to say what the chances are of him running this season. There was an injury there and whether that was an old injury or not he hurt himself for a few days.
"What surprised us all was his recovery, how quick it was, and then our veterinary team started looking at him from another angle and were thinking that there was a little chance (of him running again this season)."
Douvan is 3/1 (non-runner/no bet) for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase with Sky Bet.
Stablemate Djakadam put in a rare dull display in the Leopardstown Chase and will be joined by at least one stablemate in the Irish Gold Cup on February 4.
Mullins said: "I was very disappointed with him at Christmas and it was probably the worst run of his career.
"Nothing has shown up, maybe it was too close to the John Durkan. We are looking forward to running him in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup along with Killultagh Vic.
"Total Recall is entered for the Irish Gold Cup but I'm not sure if he will be aimed at the Grand National or go the Graded chase route.
"I'll have to speak with the owners and see what they would like to do."
Mullins said Footpad was firmly on course for the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase, in which impressive Naas winner Demi Sang might also run.
Al Boum Photo is the main Mullins contender for the Flogas Novice Chase, but no decision has been made over whether Vroum Vroum Mag will run again.
Her trainer said: "She is in training but we still haven't decided if we are going to cover her or race her for the rest of the season."