Faugheen all set for Morgiana on November 19

Faugheen is on course to make his eagerly-anticipated return to action after a 22-month lay-off in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown next Sunday.

Owner Rich Ricci reports the 2015 Champion Hurdle hero, who is trained by Willie Mullins, to be ready to return to the fray after being sidelined through injury since storming to victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January 2016.

"He's in the Morgiana next Sunday and the Hatton's Grace a couple of weeks after," Ricci told Racing UK.

"The plan is to run on Sunday. We've been here before with Faugheen.

"Everything's gone to plan. We kept him in longer than the other horses so he wouldn't gain too much weight and be harder to get back into shape.

"That was a good idea and he's had plenty of time. I'm very excited to see him back, by all accounts he's done well.

"He's not run since January 2016 so it is a big ask, but we're very hopeful he retains his ability."

While plans for Faugheen are in place for the time being, options for Douvan remain fluid as connections have yet to decide whether to step up in trip and consider races such as the 32Red King George VI Chase or stick to two miles.

Douvan has not raced since running way below-par in the Queen Mother Champion Chase but the horse is believed to be back to his best.

"He wasn't quite himself all last year," said Ricci.

"No-one was totally happy with him the whole time despite some pretty good performances. He wasn't showing that bolshy, bullying type on the gallop or in his races and obviously it came to light at Cheltenham he just wasn't right.

"He seems to be back in his pomp, so it would be great to have him back.

"I'm sure we'll talk about what we're going to do with him because there are a lot of options.

"He's entered in the King George. He could stay at two miles, he could step up in trip. It depends what happens with Min, who has summered particularly well.

"American Tom came back yesterday (third at Naas) and ran very well and will come on for that run

"We will have to see how it sorts out. We normally have a debate at Willie's this time of year about what we do with the horses and what the plan might be. We haven't done it yet.

"I don't know about the King George - Douvan or Djakadam.

"We know Douvan is very good at two miles. I thought he might step up. I guess we will have to see how the pieces fall together with some of our own string and others as well.

"Douvan won't be starting off in the Tingle Creek and I imagine Djakadam will start off in the John Durkan again and take it from there."