The fragile but talented Ferny Hollow is set to reappear after a 791 day absence in the Grade 3 Newlands Chase at Naas on Sunday.

Willie Mullins reports the lightly raced gelding, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in 2020 and also a Grade 1 winner over fences the following year at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, ‘in good form’ as he nears a long-anticipated return.

“He's entered at Naas on Sunday and hopefully he'll run. He was ready to run last weekend in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran but we had Saint Sam for that and he also gets in here without a penalty which is nice,” said the champion trainer.

“He seems in good form so hopefully he can stay right. We're very happy with him."

Ferny Hollow receives weight from both Galway Plate victor Ash Tree Meadow and last year's winner Rebel Gold, while course specialist Espanito Bello is also in the six-runner line-up along with Epson Du Houx and Ivar The Boneless.

The Westerner gelding, whose full brother Mirazur West easily won a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle last month, has won five of his seven career starts under Rules.

The nine-year-old is currently 14/1 with the sponsors for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next month.

Quotes by Tom Weekes