Douvan is set to have a scan as connections look to get to discover why the 2-9 favourite was well beaten in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
Trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh were convinced something was wrong after the seven-year-old lost his unbeaten record without ever looking like winning.
The warning signs were there when he made a mistake at the first fence. A few awkward leaps later and he was soon on the back foot, eventually finishing seventh behind Special Tiara.
"He was quite lame this morning when I brought him out and he's on the way to get an MRI scan," said Mullins.
"We think it's something up in his hind quarters. It looked like his near hind leg. We think it's above the hock.
"He was quite sore last night, but he's comfortable.
"I imagine that's him finished for the season and we can look forward to next season with him."
Walsh knew quite early on that things were not going to plan.
He told ITV4's The Opening Show: "I don't know how you can put it into words - shock, maybe - but it wasn't happening from a long way out.
"He wasn't jumping with his usual fluency. He was erratic and he even put down on me at the fence past the stands.
"When I faced into the back straight I was struggling to keep up with Special Tiara and from the top of the hill I was hoping for a miracle and it never came off.
"When he guessed at the first, then gave the second so much air, I knew it wasn't the normal Douvan.
"He's stiff and sore today, but he's standing up. He's OK, and lives to fight another day. He'll definitely race again."
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