Tag Archive for: Harry Fry

Metier powers home to grab Chester Cup glory

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Metier finished with a flourish to claim top honours in a thrilling renewal of the tote Chester Cup.

A Grade One winner over hurdles a couple of years ago, Harry Fry’s charge successfully reverted to the Flat to lift last season’s November Handicap at Doncaster under Saffie Osborne, who was again on board.

Results under both codes since have been mixed, but having returned to form with a second place in the Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh last month, Metier was among the market principals for Chester’s £150,000 showpiece at 5-1 and produced the goods in a grandstand finish.

The seven-year-old was well back in the field for much of the two-and-a-quarter-mile journey, but began to make inroads on the leaders before the home turn and powered up the straight.

Zoffee got the better of a duel with 11-4 favourite Call My Bluff to grab the lead, but was unable to resist the late surge of Metier, who passed the post a neck to the good under his jubilant rider.

Osborne said: “It didn’t really go right through the race, I was too far back and he was all guts.

“I was saying what a tough horse he is, but he’s also extremely talented and still fairly unexposed at this trip on the Flat. You’d like to think there’s more left in the tank.

“He’s just got a lot of ability and for a big horse he’s very well balanced to go round a track like this. I was having to make up ground on a part of a track that I didn’t really want to have to, but he was making it feel very easy and I didn’t want to check his momentum.”

Harry Fry was thrilled with the victory of Metier in the Chester Cup
Harry Fry was thrilled with the victory of Metier in the Chester Cup (John Walton/PA)

Fry, paying his first ever visit to Chester, said: “We’ve had some good runs and near misses in big races, but this means such a lot – it keeps our head above the parapet.

“We knew the draw (stall 14) wasn’t ideal, but Saffie sat as far forward as she could. She’s given him an absolutely wonderful ride.

“Watching him go past here on the final circuit he was 12th, but all he’s done in the straight is keep rolling and rolling.

“He’s shown all his best form on slower ground, but getting the right horses at the right time is really what it boils down to.

“It’s my first time here at Chester and walking round the course I thought ‘what an amazing place’.”

Metier and Saffie Osborne after winning at Chester
Metier and Saffie Osborne after winning at Chester (Neil Morrice/PA)

Ben Curtis, rider of the narrowly beaten runner-up Zoffee, was proud of his performance in defeat.

He said: “That was a hell of a training performance by Hugo (Palmer), to have him near spot-on after seven months off.

“The race went well for us, it was a good battle to the line but possibly the winner might have been more race-fit. Take nothing away from our horse though, he’s run a blinder.”

Love Envoi flying the flag for Britain on final day of Punchestown

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Love Envoi bids to take the Coolmore N.H. Sires Mogul Irish EBF Mares Champion Hurdle crown back to Britain for the second year in succession on the final day of the Punchestown Festival.

Unsurprisingly the two-and-a-half-mile Grade One has been dominated in recent years by Willie Mullins, with the champion trainer landing seven of the last 10 editions.

However, Nicky Henderson’s Marie’s Rock ensured victory went to the raiding party 12 months ago and Love Envoi is rightly the hot favourite for Saturday’s renewal, having finished best of the rest behind the brilliant but now retired Honeysuckle in the Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old’s trainer Harry Fry has a good record at Punchestown, with dual Champion Stayers Hurdle hero Unowhatimeanharry among several previous winners for his team at the Festival, and the Dorset handler has high hopes of adding to his tally this weekend.

He said: “Love Envoi arrived safely on Thursday morning, Punchestown has been a lucky festival for us and we’re looking forward to taking our chance.

“She ran a great race at Cheltenham. We’re obviously taking on horses she beat that day, but we’re not taking anything for granted.

“She’s going to have to turn up and run her race. Hopefully she has a good chance.”

Harry Fry is looking forward to running Love Envoi at Punchestown
Harry Fry is looking forward to running Love Envoi at Punchestown (John Walton/PA)

With Love Envoi’s regular partner Jonathan Burke sidelined by a broken arm suffered in a fall in the Grand National at Aintree, Fry had booked Mark Walsh to take over in the saddle.

However, Walsh is now required to partner Epatante for his retaining owner JP McManus, meaning Danny Mullins instead comes in for the plum ride aboard the market leader.

“It’s been a bit of a jockey merry-go-round, but in the end we’ve managed to get Danny Mullins, with Johnny sadly on the sidelines. Hopefully it all goes well,” Fry added.

The Henderson-trained Epatante, who was third behind stablemate Marie’s Rock last season and has spent much of the current campaign chasing the shadow of Seven Barrows superstar Constitution Hill.

She was, however, a long way behind Love Envoi at Cheltenham and has since finished a well-beaten fourth in the Aintree Hurdle.

“She’s been a little disappointing recently, but it will be her last run of the season so we’ll see how she gets on,” said McManus’ racing manager, Frank Berry.

“She has to come back to her best form to have a chance.”

The home team is headed by the Mullins trio of Echoes In Rain, Brandy Love and Shewearsitwell, who finished fourth, fifth at ninth in the Mares’ Hurdle and therefore need to find improvement.

“Echoes In Rain could be a difficult ride over two and a half miles but ratings-wise, she would look the one for that, with Love Envoi the biggest challenge,” said Mullins.

Echoes In Rain is one of three declared runners for Willie Mullins in the Mares Champion Hurdle
Echoes In Rain is one of three declared runners for Willie Mullins in the Mares Champion Hurdle (Niall Carson/PA)

“In the same race, Brandy Love would probably prefer to go left-handed but I think she’ll improve a good bit on her Cheltenham run.”

The Gordon Elliott-trained Queens Brook split Love Envoi and Echoes In Rain when third at the Festival and is also in the mix once more.

Elliott said: “She’s been great since Cheltenham. She’s had a good season and ran a terrific race at Cheltenham in a top-class edition of the race.

“She’s in great order and we’re looking forward to running her.”

John McConnell’s outsider Anna Bunina, third when bidding for back-to-back wins in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr last weekend, completes the line-up.

Mullins appears to hold all the aces in the final Grade One of the meeting – the Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle.

Lossiemouth and Gala Marceau are the clear standard setters after finishing first and second in a one-two-three-four for Mullins in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

“We haven’t missed much with Lossiemouth season – Christmas, Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham. That’s a lot on a filly and she’s not the biggest filly in the world but she has a huge constitution so hopefully, we ask for just one more day,” said the Closutton handler.

Willie Mullins at Punchestown earlier this week
Willie Mullins at Punchestown earlier this week (Brian Lawless/PA)

“There’s no reason to say that she won’t give it. She’s just so laid back, I don’t think racing or anything fazes her or takes too much out of her. She’s really top class.”

Mullins also fields Cinsa and Zarak The Brave, with the latter considered no forlorn hope on what is his first appearance since finishing second to Lossiemouth in a Grade Three at Fairyhouse in December.

Mullins added: “I think Zarak The Brave is a nice type. He showed a lot and then got a colic during the season and we had to put him to one side, but he’s a horse to keep an eye on.”

Punchestown consideration for Love Envoi ‘if she’s bouncing’

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Noel Fehily was delighted with Love Envoi, who produced a career best when going down on her shield to Honeysuckle at the Cheltenham Festival.

A Festival hero for Harry Fry and the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate in 2022, the seven-year-old headed back to Prestbury Park having won eight of her nine career starts and on the back of an emphatic 13-length success at Sandown in January.

Sent off at 11-1 in the hands of Johnny Burke, Love Envoi proved she was well worth her place in a red-hot renewal of the Mares’ Hurdle on the opening day – and having led Honeysuckle along at the head of proceedings, became embroiled in a titanic tussle with the two-time Champion Hurdle heroine in the closing stages.

The pair could not be separated jumping the final flight and although Love Envoi gave way to Henry de Bromhead’s departing superstar in the final 100 yards, Fehily believes his mare only enhanced her reputation in defeat and the result is proof she is still on an upwards curve.

“She ran an absolute blinder,” said the former Festival-winning jockey.

“All she does is improve every run. I think it’s fair to say Tuesday was her best performance to date. I thought Sandown the last day was her best performance before that, so she just seems like she is getting better every time and she never lets us down every time she goes on to a racecourse.”

“We were very happy with her heading into the Festival, her preparation went very well. All the best mares stood their ground and it was a really hot race.

Love Envoi (right) jumps the last neck-and-neck with Honeysuckle (left) in a thrilling Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
Love Envoi (right) jumps the last neck-and-neck with Honeysuckle (left) in a thrilling Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA)

“I thought for a second when she landed after the last she might get there, but Honeysuckle was a hard champion to beat and if you are going to get beaten by one I suppose that was the most acceptable one to get beat by.

“It was one of the races of the Festival and to see the two of them come over the last together neck and neck, it was just a fantastic race to be a part of.”

With options limited for mares in the closing months of the season, a trip to Ireland for the Grade One Mares’ Hurdle (April 29) won last year by Marie’s Rock could be on the cards providing she recovers sufficiently from her huge Cheltenham effort.

“It would only be Punchestown really – the mares’ race there,” continued Fehily when pondering Love Envoi’s next move.

“But we will see how she is in a few days. She had a very hard race the other day and we’ll just see how she is. If she’s bouncing we’ll consider Punchestown, if she’s not we’ll put her away for next season.”

Meanwhile, there is no rush to get Tahmuras to Aintree following his disappointing showing in the Supreme’ Novices Hurdle – with novice chasing next term already in the back of connections’ minds.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Tolworth Hurdle winner was a leading fancy for the Festival opener, but struggled to make his presence felt and finished a well-held 10th of the 14 runners.

“He probably under performed a little bit,” added Fehily.

“I’m not sure if he maybe didn’t act on the track, but we probably didn’t see the best of him.

Tahmuras ridden by jockey Harry Cobden on their way to winning the Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park
Tahmuras ridden by jockey Harry Cobden on their way to winning the Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown Park (Steven Paston/PA)

“He probably wasn’t good enough either, but I think he is better than what he showed on the day.

“I spoke to Paul Nicholls and he said he would see how he is through the week and if anything comes to light. But he is better than what we saw anyway.”

On future plans, he continued: “He might be done for the year – I’m not sure. We’ll have to see how he comes out of the race before we decide if we go to Aintree or not with him.

“We will be minding him for a novice chase campaign next year, so if he goes to Aintree or not isn’t the be-all and end-all. He’s probably had a busy enough year and we’ll see how he is in the week and then make a plan whether we run again or put him away for next season.”

Harry Fry taking cautious route to Cheltenham with Love Envoi

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Harry Fry was content with his decision to err on the side of caution with Love Envoi, having taken the star mare out of her intended engagement at Warwick on Saturday.

Winner of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, the seven-year-old was due to complete her Festival preparations in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Warwick Mares’ Hurdle.

But connections felt conditions were quicker than ideal, particularly with the Prestbury Park in mind.

Fry said: “She doesn’t need to prove to us how good she is, she’s shown us that, but it has all been on slower ground.

Love Envoi on the way to victory at Cheltenham last year
Love Envoi on the way to victory at Cheltenham last year (Tim Goode/PA)

“We’ve had this race in mind all season in terms of completing her Cheltenham preparation, but only if circumstances allowed and it’s just unfortunate, it’s no one’s fault. They’ve just had no rain since Classic Chase Day and it’s a great old saying ‘if in doubt, there is no doubt’.

“It’s frustrating and I also couldn’t run Gin Coco today (at Newbury) who was second-favourite for the Betfair Hurdle. It’s just been an extraordinary season with the weather.

“But we’re very happy where we are with her and we’ll take her home now. She’ll complete her preparation at home and undoubtedly we’ll take her away somewhere for a gallop having not run today. So we’ll look forward to getting there in March in tip-top form all being well.

“She has shown us her well-being at Sandown and I just didn’t want to take a risk on drying ground so close to her big day when she has showed us how effective she is on a slower surface. Admittedly if the ground is in a similar situation at Cheltenham we’ll have to make that decision nearer the time, but that is the big target.

“At some point I’m sure she will run on better ground, but in terms of this being a stepping-stone we didn’t think it was worth the risk today.”

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore will clash with Love Envoi
Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore will clash with Love Envoi (Brian Lawless/PA)

Love Envoi’s target next month is the Mares’ Hurdle – which is due to feature Honeysuckle, among others.

Fry added: “It’s (the Mares’ Hurdle) looking like being as competitive a race as there is all week and there are some very talented mares in there.

“We’ll look forward to getting there in one piece and then worry about who is in opposition on the day.”

Of plans for Gin Coco, he said: “I think so (County Hurdle), he was obviously runner-up there in the Greatwood. It’s again very frustrating not to run him (at Newbury) but he missed a year with a tendon injury, so it’s not worth the risk.

“No doubt he and Love Envoi will have to go somewhere to complete their preparations together.”

Fry hoping Love will prevail in Festival prep

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Harry Fry is concentrating solely on Love Envoi as his star mare prepares to complete her Cheltenham Festival preparation at Warwick on Saturday.

The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle is shaping up to be one of the events of the whole week with dual champion hurdler Honeysuckle confirmed to join Love Envoi and possibly the likes of defending champion Marie’s Rock and Epatante in the line-up on March 14.

However, while admitting it will be highly competitive, Fry’s focus remains firmly fixed on getting the winner of last year’s mares’ novices’ hurdle at the Festival to peak again at Prestbury Park next month.

Love Envoi ridden by Jonathan Burke clears a fence before going on to win the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle during day three of the Cheltenham Festival in 2022
Love Envoi ridden by Jonathan Burke clears a fence before going on to win the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle during day three of the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 (Tim Goode/PA)

“Whether its Honeysuckle, Epatante or Marie’s Rock, it’s going to be a fiercely competitive race,” Fry told Tattersalls Cheltenham.

“All we can do is worry about getting Love Envoi there in tip-top form. On the day, we can think about who is in opposition and go there with confidence in our mare that she can come out on top.”

The seven-year-old has suffered just one defeat in nine starts and is unbeaten this season following two victories at Sandown.

She is now set to go to post for the Virgin Bet Warwick Mares’ Hurdle searching her second Listed prize of the season in a race won last year by eventual Mares’ Hurdle champion Marie’s Rock.

“We started off this campaign at Sandown in a handicap hurdle, purely because there were not that many options open to her,” continued Fry, whose charge was a graduate of the 2021 Tattersalls Cheltenham March Sale.

“She was a course winner in Grade Two company, so we thought it was an ideal starting point over the two miles. We were delighted when she was able to carry all that weight against the boys to make a winning start to the campaign.

“The races very much slotted into place from the turn of the year. Returning to Sandown for a Listed mares’ hurdle was always the plan then this race at Warwick is another Mares’ Hurdle ‘trial’.

“It was won by Marie’s Rock en route to winning the Mares’ Hurdle last year, so is a proven stepping-stone to the Festival. Hopefully we can follow in her footsteps.”

Boothill to bypass Cheltenham rematch with Jonbon

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There will be no Arkle rematch with Jonbon for Boothill following his victory in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Harry Fry’s seven-year-old was recording his third fences victory of the season when striking in the two-mile Grade Two contest with his only defeat coming at the hands of Nicky Henderson’s Cheltenham Festival favourite when they clashed in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown earlier this month.

Boothill was cut to a general 25-1 for the Prestbury Park Grade One on the back of hunting down Chris Gordon’s Aucunrisque at the Sunbury track, but Fry has since revealed he intends to skip the Festival in favour of a run at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.

Meanwhile, an appearance in Doncaster’s Watch Off The Fence On attheraces.com Lightning Novices’ Chase on January 28 seems the most likely next port of call.

“We will try to make the most of Boothill’s novice status with a trip to Doncaster likely to be next for him in the Grade Two Lightning Novices’ Chase on January 28,” Fry told www.harryfryracing.com.

“He is then set to skip the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and head instead to Aintree’s Grand National meeting.”

Boothill swoops late to grab Wayward Lad honours

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Harry Fry’s Boothill struck late to down Aucunrisque and record his third victory of the season over fences in a competitive running of the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Only four went to post for the Grade Two contest, but the lack of numbers did not effect the quality on show and Aucunrisque shaded affairs at the head of the closely-bunched quartet in the early stages.

Harry Skelton was keen to match strides with Chris Gordon’s six-year-old aboard 13-8 favourite Lac De Constance, but the former champion jockey was unseated following a blunder at the final ditch as the tempo began to increase.

Tom Cannon kept his foot down on Aucunrisque following the departure of Lac De Constance and had opened up a three-length lead over Boothill as the field jumped three out.

But Boothill responded gamely to rider Jonathan Burke’s urgings soon after and edged his way to the front with a fine leap at the last – landing full of running and galloping on to the line to shade the long-time leader by a length.

It was the perfect way for the seven-year-old to get back to winning ways following a respectable effort behind Jonbon in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase earlier this month and both Betfair and Coral have cut the son of Presenting to 25-1 for a potential rematch with Nicky Henderson’s Arkle favourite at the Cheltenham Festival.

Boothill ridden by jockey J J Burke on their way to winning the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase during day two of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton Racecourse
Boothill ridden by jockey J J Burke on their way to winning the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase during day two of the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton Racecourse (Nigel French/PA)

The winning rider was full of praise for his mount and said: “We probably didn’t go as quick as I thought we would, but I’d say my horse is growing in confidence with every run. He’s showing battling qualities now that he probably didn’t show in the past, so every time he runs he’s improving.

“We’ve bumped into Jonbon before and I’m sure we’ll take him on again, but he’s getting better with every run and his jumping is his thing – he’s jumping so well in his races. Trying to settle him is not easy when he’s jumping as well as that, but he’s battling better than he ever has.

“Because he was keen I took the decision to sit at the back of the four so I could fill him up and if I couldn’t do that I wouldn’t be in contention. Moving to the last, he was going well so it was great. We’ll be keen to take on Jonbon again, we probably won’t beat him but we’re up for the fight.”

Gordon was also proud of the efforts of the runner-up and now has the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in his sights.

He said: “He has run an absolute blinder. It is one of those things – if he was tailed off and came and finished second I would have been really happy.

“When we came around the bend I thought ‘we have got this’ and that is what is painful as a trainer. At the end of the day, when you sit down you’d say he has run a blinder. The owner just mentioned about the Arkle but the Grand Annual might be fantastic for him. I think maybe if they feel they would like to go to Cheltenham, we could put an entry in both of those.

“Hopefully the handicapper is sensible. If they are not sensible it puts you off running horses like this in it (Grand Annual). He scared me with his jumping early on as he is small but he has really got his jumping together, so maybe we can look at a race like that (Grand Annual).”