Cheveley Park's Ferny Hollow ruled out for the season with tendon injury

Top-class chaser Ferny Hollow's luckless run with injury goes on as the Willie Mullins-trained star has been ruled out for the season after suffering a setback.

Priced between 6-1 and 10-1 for this season's Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ferny Hollow will now miss three consecutive Cheltenham Festivals due to injury, having been the ante-post second favourite for the 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle and favourite for this year's Arkle.

Mullins and Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson confirmed on Friday morning the 2020 Champion Bumper winner had encountered a hind tendon injury and would be absent for the season.

Richardson said: "He's out for the the season sadly, with what I am advised is a hind leg tendon strain. It's very frustrating and goes to show you have to enjoy the highs."

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned seven-year-old, who saw off Bob Olinger when winning his only start over hurdles in November 2020, created a tremendous impression over fences last season.

A high-class chasing debut success at Punchestown was followed up by winning the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown, but he has not been seen since that 2021 Christmas festival success.

Willie Mullins and Ferny Hollow.Closutton.Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post29.10.2021Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Hopes had been high that the 160-rated chaser would be a major player in the two-mile chasing division this season, and he was declared to make his seasonal reappearance in the Fortria Chase at Navan on November 13.

Mullins decided against running the five-time winner on account of drying ground, with conditions described as yielding.

News of Ferny Hollow's absence means stablemate Energumene has hardened at the top of the Champion Chase betting to a general evens favourite (from 6-4). Brilliant Tingle Creek Chase scorer Edwardstone is priced between 9-4 and 3-1 to make it back-to-back festival wins after his victory in last season's Arkle.

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