TOP trainer Harry Fry has exclusively signed with Sun Racing for this National Hunt season.
Here, he reflects on last weekend and gives some pointers for a packed Christmas fixture list.
It is a massive thrill to be joining the amazing Sun Racing team.
The Sun are huge supporters of the sport we all love – where else can you get this sort of coverage in a national newspaper?
I’m looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you each week and hopefully I can steer you in the direction of a few winners along the way.
Sadly we were out of luck at Cheltenham over the weekend – frustrating is one word to describe it!
We had three seconds from four runners and they all ran well.
We knew that Beat The Bat was taking on a very smart mare in Dysart Enos, but I think he actually enhanced his reputationin trying to give her seven pounds.
We’ve plenty of food for thought whether we go up in grade over hurdles or look at the handicap route for the big festivals in the spring.
In Excelsis Deo jumped almost too well for most of the way and then just made two small errors right at the worst time when the race was really on.
However, it was pleasing to see him put two good runs back-to-back which he didn’t do last season.
And Martha Divine, who was the first runner for our Harry Fry Racing Syndicate, ran a cracker for second and I’m sure she’ll be winning soon.
We’re now gearing up for busy festive period, and for the yard Christmas is no different to any other day.
The staff split up into two teams – one that will work Christmas morning and the other New Year’s morning, and without them it would be impossible.
We’ve got a few nice ones out ahead of Christmas, kicking off with Gidleigh Park, who is set to run under a penalty at Newbury (2.35 Wednesday) and now steps up in trip, which should suit him.
He has the potential to be as good as some of our stable stars but he has to go and prove it on the track.
We’ve a couple of runners at Exeter on Thursday to look out for too.
Valadon (1.25) was runner-up on his debut over this track and trip and hopefully he’ll be all the better for that run.
Ask Me Early (2.55) is getting a bit old now but he showed some enthusiasm last time.
He’ll strip fitter for the run and is dropping down the weights, so hopefully he can be competitive.
Looking a bit further ahead to Ascot on Friday and Saturday, we’re looking forward to Silver Jet, a nice big, imposing type who makes his debut for us.
He’s over 17 hands and does everything nicely at home, so fingers crossed he can do it on the track.
Might I is in very good form and we’ve had Ascot in mind since he won last time, while Altobelli could be the best of the lot.
Harry was speaking in association with Grosvenor Sport
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