Racing Post Novice Chase
Grade 1, Leopardstown 14:20
€100,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m 1f, Class 1  
Sunday 26th December 2021

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1 Ferny Hollow 10/11F
2 Riviere D'Etel 5/4
3 Coeur Sublime 10/1
6 ran Distances: 1½l, 14l, 9½l
Time: 4m 11.10s (slow by 5.10s)

The Willie Mullins-trained Ferny Hollow beat esteemed stablemate Appreciate It in the Champion Bumper and got the better of Bob Olinger in a maiden hurdle in 2020, but missed much of last season through injury.

He made a winning on his return to action and chasing debut at Punchestown earlier in the month and followed up here.

Cheveley Park director Richard Thompson said: “As Willie said afterwards, Ferny Hollow was exceptional on the day. 

“To be off the track for over a year, come back and win and then come out three weeks later and win a Grade One – giving 13lb to a very good filly (Riviere D’etel)- was fantastic.

“I have to admit I thought he was going to get beaten at one stage, but he really pulled it out.

“In the short term I think we’ll be looking towards the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival.”

Thompson was also delighted to see last season’s Champion Bumper hero Sir Gerhard make a successful start to his hurdling career on the same Leopardstown card.

He looks set to step up to Grade One level sooner rather than later.

“He looked a class act, didn’t he,” Thompson added.

“I think we’ll be looking towards the Dublin Racing Festival with him as well.”

Racing Post Novice Steeplechase
2m 1f, Race Value: €100,000 guaranteed, Grade 1
6 ran
Going: Soft, Yielding in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1     Ferny Hollow 6 12-0 W P Mullins Paul Townend 10/11F
2 1½ Riviere D'Etel 4 11-1 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 5/4
3 14 Coeur Sublime 6 12-0 Henry De Bromhead Keith Donoghue 10/1
4 9½ Gallant John Joe 8 12-0 Oliver McKiernan Barry Browne 66/1
5 25 Zoffanien 4 11-8 Denis Gerard Hogan Hugh Morgan 125/1
PU Grand Bornand 5 12-0 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 40/1

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