Molly set for chasing game

Former Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner Hairy Molly is likely to become a late addition to the novice-chasing ranks this season.

Injury kept the 2006 Festival hero away from the track since his return to the meeting a year later, when he did not look suited to the frenetic pace in the Brit Insurance (now the Spa Novices’ Hurdle), eventually finishing 11th.

Hairy Molly always had the makings of a chaser and Damien Byrne, assistant to trainer Joe Crowley, said: “Hairy Molly’s in great form and back in full work.

“He will be ready in three to four weeks’ time and will probably start off over fences.

“He injured a suspensory (ligament) behind and needed some time off but he came back in mid-December and has been doing plenty of work.”