Ferny Hollow's highly anticipated return to competitive racing in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran this Saturday has been cancelled due to unsuitable ground conditions.
The talented nine-year-old gelding, trained by Willie Mullins, had once been hailed as one of the most thrilling prospects in the sport. In 2020, Ferny Hollow showcased his potential by securing a remarkable two-and-a-half-length victory in the prestigious Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.
Following this triumph, he had a single outing over hurdles, emerging victorious in a maiden race against the formidable Bob Olinger. However, his racing journey was put on hold for over a year due to an unfortunate injury. In December 2021, Ferny Hollow finally embarked on his chasing career, starting with a convincing four-length triumph at Punchestown.
He continued to impress by clinching the coveted Grade One Racing Post Novice Chase title at Leopardstown. Sadly, his progress was once again hindered by another injury setback. With a whopping 783 days since his last race, Ferny Hollow was set to make a momentous comeback this weekend.
However, the decision was made by his connections to withdraw him from the race at Gowran due to the challenging ground conditions. Chris Richardson, the managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, the owners of Ferny Hollow, explained that while Willie Mullins had hoped to run the horse, his extended absence from racing and the recent issues he faced necessitated caution. Richardson added that they are gradually working towards his return, but the timing for his comeback is not ideal under the current circumstances.