Unowhatimeanharry to swerve Coral Cup
Although the eight-year-old is entered for the two-mile-five-furlong Coral Cup, Fry believes he would only take up that option should the ground be soft, with the two three-mile events under more serious consideration.
Since switching to Fry this season, Unowhatimeanharry has gone from strength-to-strength, winning all four of his starts to date including a Pertemps qualifier at Exeter last time out.
He said: “We qualified Unowhatimeanharry for the Pertemps on his last start as that is where we thought we were heading, but we might have to think again as he has been put up 14lb for that success.
“We will wait and see as Henryville ran a blinder off top weight to finish fourth in the race last year. He is in the Albert Bartlett as well, so if he runs at the Festival it is likely to be in one of those two races.
“We put him in the Coral Cup as Different Gravey is in there off top weight, but I can’t see him (Unowhatimeanharry) running in that unless it was very soft.”
Plans also remain fluid as to what race Thomas Brown will contest at the meeting, with Fry contemplating two races for him.
The seven-year-old failed to complete his latest start after parting company with Noel Fehily in the BetBright Chase at Kempton last Saturday.
He said: “Thomas Brown is flying after his fall at the weekend and is absolutely fine. He lives to fight another day.
“He is likely to go for either the three-mile handicap chase on the opening day (Ultima Handicap Chase) or the Kim Muir on the Thursday. There is no preference at the moment.”
Yesterday, Top Wood may have earned a late call up to the team set to represent trainer David Pipe at the Cheltenham Festival after ending a barren spell with a decisive second success over fences in the Forbra Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ludlow.
Although without a win over larger obstacles since making a winning start over them at Towcester in May 2014, the nine-year-old rectified that with a commanding win in the three-mile affair.
Up with the pace throughout, the 9-1 shot — who was refitted with blinkers — galloped on remorselessly for a 16-length success in the hands of Conor O’Farell from Foundry Square, in a race which only four of the nine runners completed.
Betfred cut Top Wood into 16-1 from 33-1 for the Kim Muir, along with trimming him into 14-1 from 25-1 for the Midlands National.
Pipe said: “We thought he had a good chance if he came back to his best form. He is a bit in and out, but Conor gave him a great ride.
“We tried him in a hood last time but that didn’t work so we were back to the blinkers today, while the step up in trip helped.
“He is going to be reassessed now, so he will find it harder.
“I’ve got to speak to the owner. We may head to the Kim Muir as he is in that, but we will have a look at the Midlands National.”
