A HOLLOW VICTORY

Ideal chance to open account

FERNY HOLLOW should make it third-time-lucky in bumpers in tomorrow’s finale in Punchestown.

Bought for £300,000 following his point-to-point win for Colin Bowe at Knockanard, the five-year-old Westerner gelding has been a beaten oddson favourite on both bumper starts. But he remains an exciting prospect capable of opening his account here.

Ferny Hollow, trained for Cheveley Park Stud by Willie Mullins, was outpointed by Eric Bloodaxe on his racecourse debut at Fairyhouse in early December – the winner went on to score again at Leopardstown over Christmas but flopped, on the same track, last week.

Keen and raw in the closing stages that day, Ferny

Hollow started favourite again at Leopardstown over Christmas and, although stretching 17 lengths clear of the rest, failed by a half-length to Forged In Fire.

Tomorrow, he will wear a hood for the first time, which might prove the key to getting him more settled through the race. And if it succeeds, he could reproduce the sparkle he shows on the gallops in Closutton.

Mullins might also land the Leinster Leader Maiden Hurdle with

disappointing on his Irish debut at Navan but a good third in a hot maiden at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Francin finished a close third behind Cobbler’s Way and Sempo at Leopardstown, form advertised by the winner’s Grade 1 second to Latest Exhibition last week and the runner-up’s convincing maiden win in Thurles on Thursday.

That sort of form makes Paul Townend’s mount the horse to beat, with no match for subsequent Grade 1 winner Asterion Forlonge at Naas, the obvious threat.

looked a very exciting prospect when boltingup in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and appeals in the listed INH Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle, a race which features the Irish debut of Envoil Allen’s half-brother

The five-year-old looks potentially high-class and is marginally preferred to 134-rated runner-up to Envoi Allen at Down Royal in November and off the track since beating smart stable-companion Uhtred at Cork in December.

Lightly-raced Zero Ten should confirm form with Dunvegan in the Entertain Your Guests At Punchestown rated Novice Chase.

And in the €100,000 Boylesports Grand National Trial, I suggest eachway support on The Gatechecker, winner of the Cork National in November and third to Morosini in a handicap hurdle at Cork last time.w

THIRD TIME LUCKY Ferny Hollow, red & white silks