[3] Douvan began his racing career in the ownership of François-Xavier Chaussonnière and was initially trained in France by Philippe Peltier.

Nineteen days later he recorded his first success in a similar event at Compiègne, taking the lead after the final flight of hurdles and winning by two and a half lengths.

He made a successful first appearance for his new connections by winning a novice hurdle at Gowran Park on 22 November, beating Sizing John by twelve lengths at odds of 8/15.

[5] After an absence of two months, Douvan was sent to the Cheltenham Festival for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on 10 March and started the 2/1 favourite in a twelve-runner field.

Ridden by Ruby Walsh, Douvan was not among the early leaders as the outsider Some Plan set the pace before making steady progress from the third last hurdle.

[7] On his final appearance of the season Douvan, with Walsh again in the saddle, contested the Grade 1 Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on 28 April.

With Ruby Walsh riding the stable's Vautour in England, Douvan was partnered by his trainer's son Patrick Mullins when he started 4/7 favourite for the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse on 26 December.

[10] Only two horses appeared to challenge Douvan in the Arkle Novice Chase over the same course and distance in January and the gelding won by fifteen lengths at odds of 1/14.