Festival hero Unowhatimeanharry set for December return

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Harry Fry reports former Stayers Hurdle winner Unowhatimeanharry is in ‘great shape’, and will make his seasonal appearance in Newbury’s Long Distance Hurdle on December 1st.

The nine-year-old tasted Festival success in the formerly known World Hurdle in 2016, but despite an eight race unbeaten record he could only finish third when attempting to reclaim the prize in 2017.

He finished third behind Nicholas Canyon, before reversing the form when the pair clashed in Punchestown in April.

“He’s just come back to us only a fortnight ago, but he seems to have summered very well,” said the Dorset-based trainer.

“He stayed over in Ireland and it’s great to have him back with us."

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Unowhatimeanharry will target a fourth Grade One in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot, which he won in 2016

The JP McManus owned hurdler is set to return to Newbury, where he started his campaign last year, in the 3m event on Ladbroke Gold Cup day.

He defeated Ballyoptic in the race last year by six lengths, before winning Ascot’s Grade One Long Walk Hurdle in impressive style.

“The plan is to stick to hurdles and almost certainly follow the same sort of programme he did last year,” Fry added.

“We will take it race by race, but I don’t think too much will change in his programme.

“I would think we would start him off at Newbury in the Hennessy meeting, in the race he appeared in last year. 

“After that we would keep our options open, but we will probably go back to the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.”

Unowhatimeanharry is currently priced at 9/1 to win the Stayer’s Hurdle, with last year’s hero Nicholas Canyon the 7/1 antepost favourite.

Harry Fry's leading Festival hope Neon Wolf suffers fatal injury

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Harry Fry has described stable star Neon Wolf as 'irreplaceable', after his Cheltenham Festival runner-up suffered a life-ending injury over the weekend.

The six-year-old won four times in his career, including a brilliant nine length success in Haydock's Grade Two Rossington Main Novices' Hurdle.

As a hotly fancied favourite in the Neptune he was an unlucky loser, when defeated by a head in the Grade One event by Willoughby Court.

For young Fry he was a classy horse, that could only improve the fast growing reputation of the Dorset-handler's yard.

"We are deeply saddened to report the loss of the brilliantly talented Neon Wolf over the weekend following a freak accident in his stable," Fry told his website.

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Following his narrow defeat at the Cheltenham Festival, he was well-fancied to go one better in 2018

"He had the potential to go right to the top and it is hard to come to terms with the fact that he has gone."

"It is a dreadful blow to his owners the Masterson family and all of the team here at Seaborough.

"We all shared such high hopes and dreams for Neon Wolf who came tantalising close to success at this year's Cheltenham Festival in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle.

"A big, imposing fluent jumper who started his career in an Irish point-to-point, he was a horse who had everything you look for in a top class racehorse.

"Very sadly he will not now get the chance to fulfil the promise he had shown us, he will be irreplaceable."

Neon Wolf had been one of the leading novice chasers coming into the jumps season, with him as a leading fancy in the JLT Novices' Chase, Arkle and RSA Chase.

Cheltenham winner Henryville aims to set up Summer Plate date at Uttoxeter

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Silver Trophy winner Henryville will have to defy top weight to claim Uttoxeter's feature Clarke Chase, a key trial to the Summer Plate.

Harry Fry’s nine-year-old forged clear in the Grade Two prize, before adding further success to his record at Newton Abbot last time out.

“He’s in good form in his last two runs and we’ve been pleased with him,” said the Dorset-based handler.

“He’s gone back up in the weights so hopefully he can still be competitive. We’re quietly working away to the Summer Plate at Market Rasen with him.

This race looks competitive even with only seven runners. Three have won last time out, so it promises to be competitive. Hopefully he can continue his fine form.”

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Days Of Heaven was an eight length winner back in March.

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson is also eyeing up Market Rasen’s Summer Plate with Days Of Heaven.

The seven-year-old ventured to the USA to compete in two Grade One contests, he wasn’t too far away in two attempts, and has won on both starts since returning to the UK.

“He’s in good form and we’re happy with him at home,” said the champion trainer.

“It’s the right distance and the right ground for him and he’s going well. We took him over to America, and he’s been doing really well since coming back. This looks tough, but I like him and he should go well.”

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Jonjo O'Neill will be hoping for more success for the famous colours of JP McManus.

Cheltenham-based Jonjo O’Neill saddles A Little Magic, who has been in flying form recently.

The six-year-old capped off last season with an impressive seven length victory at Market Rasen, before winning when stepped up in class at Kempton earlier this month.

“He’s in good form at home,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus. “Jonjo and the team seem really happy with him at home. We’re looking forward to it and we’re hoping for a good run.”

Gloucestershire’s Nigel Twiston-Davies runs Ballybolley, whilst Tom George’s Valseur Du Granval makes his seasonal bow.

Former Cheltenham Festival winner Ballynagour makes his first start of the season, and Richard Hobson runs Valadom.