THE Cheltenham bumper hero Ferny Hollow got his jumping career off to a bright start at Gowran yesterday with a highly encouraging display in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle which headed a short-priced four-timer for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

Ferny Hollow was returned at 1/3 for his first outing since Cheltenham but faced one very notable rival in Bob Olinger who impressed with his debut success in a point-to-point bumper at this track last March.