HARRY’S REVENGE!
Fry turns tables on Mullins
TRAINER Harry Fry was so disappointed Unowhatimeanharry could only finish third at the Cheltenham Festival that he has not felt able to watch a replay.
There is no chance that the DVD of the Noel Fehily-ridden gelding narrowly repelling Ni c hol s Canyon — hi s conqueror at Cheltenham — in the Grade One Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle will gather dust on Fry’s shelf.
Over four lengths behind Willie Mullins-trained Nichols Canyon last month after being sent off odds- on favourite, Unowhatimeanharry gained revenge by a neck, his stamina telling after kicking for home three hurdles from the finish.
Fry, who also landed the following Handicap Hurdle with Fehily-ridden Minella Awards, said: ‘Noel knows the horse inside out and knew he had enough up his sleeve to fend off Nichols Canyon.
‘I haven’t been able to watch the Cheltenham race back because it would be more disappointment. He didn’t run badly but we had very high hopes. We will watch this one, that’s for sure.
‘I don’t suppose at nine he will be going novice chasing next season. He will have a nice summer break and hopefully have another chance at the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next year.’
British raiders have five wins here now, with Fry’s pair adding to those of f ellow Dorset trainer Colin Tizzard, successful with Fox Norton and Sizing Granite, plus Neil Mulholland’s Bumper winner, Dead Right. Fox Norton’s Champion Chase win on Tuesday and Unowhatimeanharry yesterday have come in feature races, damaging Mullins’s hopes of beating Gordon Elliott to the Irish trainers’ title.
Mullins was second in both races — a swing of €200,000 — as well as having Djakadam beaten a short head by Sizing John in the Gold Cup.
After the exhilarating win of Mullins’s Great Field in the Grade One Ryanair Novices’ Chase, t he gap between Elliott and Mullins was down to less than €150,000.
Mullins has four runners in today’s Punchestown Champion Hurdle. Not among them is 2016 Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power, who is in foal and seemingly heading into retirement.
Meanwhile, Derby clues with a Frankel flavour could emerge at Sandown but not necessarily in the Bet365 Classic Trial.
Three of the five runners — Cunco, Frankuus and Monarchs Glen — were sired by Frankel, but none hold a Derby entry. However, Roger Charltontrained Frankel colt Atty Persse, who goes i n the opening Esher Cup, is entered for the Epsom Classic. AMBERLEIGH HOUSE, the 2004 Grand National winner, has died aged 25.