The delicate yet promising Ferny Hollow is poised to make a comeback after an absence of 791 days in the prestigious Grade 3 Newlands Chase at Naas this Sunday.
Trainer Willie Mullins is optimistic about the gelding, who clinched victory in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2020 and later secured a Grade 1 win over fences at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting the following year. Mullins states that Ferny Hollow is 'in good form' as he approaches his highly anticipated return.
"He's set to compete at Naas this Sunday, and we're hopeful he'll participate. Although he was prepared to race last weekend at the Red Mills Chase in Gowran, we chose to field Saint Sam instead, and it's a bonus that he can run here without a penalty,"
remarked the esteemed trainer.
"He appears to be in fine fettle, so we're optimistic about his performance. We're pleased with his condition".
Ferny Hollow will carry less weight compared to both Galway Plate victor Ash Tree Meadow and the defending champion Rebel Gold. Notably, Espanito Bello, a specialist at the course, is also part of the six-runner lineup, alongside Epson Du Houx and Ivar The Boneless.
This Westerner gelding, whose sibling Mirazur West recently cruised to victory in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse, boasts an impressive record of five wins in seven career starts under Rules.
Currently, the nine-year-old is listed at odds of 14/1 with the sponsors for the upcoming Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month.