The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle may have been a bittersweet watch for Harry Fry as his Grade 1 winner Idaho Sun was sidelined due to lameness. Idaho Sun beat Mydaddypaddy a convincing three-and-a-quarter lengths in the Formby, who was only a length-and-a-half behind Old Park Star. On that collateral basis, Idaho Sun would’ve been well entitled to win the Supreme.
However, horse racing is a great leveller as Harry Fry told the Racing Post: “You’ve got to keep looking forward in this game. As disappointing as it was to miss the Supreme and see the first four home coming from Britain – which makes me think we would have been right in the mix – the result gave us plenty of reasons to be cheerful, continued Fry.
When asked about his progress, Fry noted: “he’s already walking and there shouldn’t be any long-term implications. So we can look forward to having a very exciting second-season hurdler. The Supreme gives us confidence going into next season.”
Unchanged mark a Greatwood gift
Not only was the form-boost a huge positive, Fry received further good news as the handicapper left his mark of 142 unchanged. Fry said: “I was ringing the handicapper the morning after to make sure we weren’t going to get reassessed. So I was relieved. When you think Mydaddypaddy is now rated 154, I’d love to start off in something like the Greatwood off 142 and see where that takes us. That’s what will keep us dreaming through the summer.”
For all he is a scopey individual who would flourish over a fence, the Greatwood could determine the eventual path. Last year’s winner, Alexei, was a more than credible fourth in this season’s Champion Hurdle. Alexei was rated 148 going into the race, and it’s plausible to suggest Idaho Sun can rate much higher. If returning next season in a similar vein of form, he would have a chance in a weak enough division.
Harry Fry’s sole Cheltenham Festival runner, Boothill, finished a credible eighth in the Grand Annual. The 11-year-old was dropped a further 4lbs in the weights, and is now lurking on a dangerous mark. Formerly rated 158, he’s 17lbs lower and on the lowest mark since his 2022 novice chase campaign. Despite struggling since finishing second to Jonbon in 2022, he posted his best effort since then and it’ll be no surprise should we see him line up in the Red Rum Handicap at Aintree next month.