Leading hurdler Ferny Hollow for Cheveley Park is now likely to miss the Punchestown festival and return next season, with connections explaining the Irish meeting may just come too soon for him in his recovery.
The Willie Mullins trained gelding last season bounced out as a serious talent when beating the Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Appreciate It in the 2020 Cheltenham festival Champion Bumper.
Having always been a horse that the yard was fond of, he returned this season for his hurdles debut and at Gowran he went on to defeat the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle winner Bob Olinger.
The form he carries is nothing short of superb, but unfortunately this season he suffered an injury setback which saw him miss the Cheltenham festival, with connections saying that he might be back in time for the Punchestown festival.
Ferny Hollow looked supremely impressive in the Champion Bumper at the festival 👏
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) March 27, 2020
The race has been known to throw out some superstars tackling hurdles the season after 👀
Who caught your eye?!
Credit - @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/S2MTgnISXt
However, it now looks as though that will not be the case and he will be saved until next season where it is unclear whether he will stay over hurdles or go over fences.
(Credit ATR) Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson said:“It’s a shame Ferny Hollow had his setback, but he’s recovering well. Whether he runs at Punchestown, we’re not quite sure yet, it may be that we’ll put him away and make sure he’s 200 per cent for next season.
“On the basis of his form he’s a very smart horse.”
Mullins said: “The form is looking rock solid now, and Ferny Hollow looks a good sort.“I know there was talk at one time about him possibly being back for Punchestown, but at the moment we are not thinking about that. We’ll wait for next season.”