Review of the action from Friday's meeting at Gowran

Winning start for Ferny

Champion Bumper winner Ferny Hollow made a successful start to his career over hurdles with victory at Gowran Park.

Making his first appearance since sweeping through to beat stablemate Appreciate It at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned five-year-old was unsurprisingly cramped odds for the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at 1/3.

Ridden by Paul Townend, Ferny Hollow tracked the pacesetting Bob Olinger for much of the two-mile contest and the promising pair were always clear of their rivals.

Bob Olinger, an impressive winner of a point-to-point and a bumper, gave the market leader a run for his money from the home turn, but in the end Ferny Hollow displayed a superior turn of foot on the run-in to prevail by a length – with much to like about both the winner and second.

Mullins said: “It was a nice performance. Two good horses came up the straight there and hopefully we’ll hear more about both of them. He’ll improve from that run, and we’ll look forward to Christmas.”

Both the sponsors and Paddy Power trimmed Ferny Hollow to 8/1 from 10/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at next year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Sky Bet Head of Sports PR Michael Shinners said: "That was a good start to his hurdling career for Ferny Hollow. It’s clearly very early days but we are now 8/1 from 10/1 and it will be interesting to see where he goes next."

Youmdor looks exciting recruit

Mullins and Townend had earlier successfully combined with French recruit Youmdor, who was a different class to the opposition in the Thanks To All Our Sponsors In 2020 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

A dual winner on the Flat for Freddy Head, the Youmzain gelding made a smooth transition to the jumping game with a 16-length triumph.

“He’s a smart horse and handled the ground very well for a three-year-old. He got underneath a few hurdles early on, but the last couple were his best jumps,” said Townend.

“He’s exciting going forward and it’s nice to get these colours (of the McNeill Family) off to a winning start.”

Sky Bet halved the winner in price for the JCB Triumph Hurdle to 25/1 but Paddy Power were even more impressed and introduced him to their market at 14/1.

The Mullins-Townend axis was narrowly denied in the Download The BoyleSports App Novice Hurdle, with 10/11 favourite Galopin Des Champs mowed down late by Arthur Moore’s Sea Ducor (8/1), ridden by Donagh Meyler.

The champion trainer and jockey did, however, go on to complete four-timers, with Annamix (5/6 favourite) and Energumene (8/13 favourite) both registering emphatic wins over fences.

Annamix, who was ante-post favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in his younger days, is now two from two over the larger obstacles.

Mullins said: “I think this fellow has improved with age and I don’t mind going up in trip with him either. He jumped well, so hopefully he can improve for the rest of the season.”

Of Energumene, he added: “He loves chasing, and Paul was very taken with him, which has to be a good sign. We’ll probably find something for him around Christmas.”