WONDERHORSE Ferny Hollow is set to make an incredible Cheltenham Festival return – four years after he last raced there.
The 2020 Champion Bumper hero Willie Mullins labelled ‘awesome’ has not run anywhere for two years owing to his neverending injury struggles.
Some punters have even labelled him ‘the Reece James of horses’ owing to his persistent niggles much like the Chelsea and England right-back.
Ferny Hollow, now nine, was last seen beating Riviere D’etel to win the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Boxing Day 2021.
But a ligament injury ruled him out when second-fav for the Arkle before a further tendon injury forced him to miss the whole of the 2022-23 season.
Master trainer Mullins has nursed the horse back to health and he is set to make the first of his two big comebacks in a 2m4f Grade chase at Gowran Park on Saturday.
The Festival – now less than a month away – is on the agenda after that, all being well.
Chris Richardson, who managing director at Ferny Hollow’s owners Cheveley Park Stud, told the Racing Post that is the plan.
He said: “He has a huge following and has shown wonderful talent but he’s had a number of issues.
“Full marks to Willie and the team for getting this far and let’s see what happens.
“All roads lead to Cheltenham and it’s just a question of how far we get.”
Ferny Hollow has raced just seven times in his career, winning five times and making more than £117,000 in prize money.
He is all set to make his return after a massive 783 days off the track.
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