Harry Fry: Supreme hope Metier is just where we want him after Wincanton spin

Harry Fry is not a trainer who gets carried away easily, but he is relishing the appearance of Metier in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Fry will have four runners at the meeting, which starts with the Supreme on March 16, and did not hesitate when nominating the impressive Tolworth winner as his best chance.

The one-time Flat performer is 6-1 second favourite for the Supreme and Fry is not overly concerned about spring conditions at Cheltenham for the five-year-old, whose hurdle victories have come on soft and heavy ground.

Supreme entries and betting

"It's all systems go and Metier is our leading light so fingers crossed," said the trainer.

"I think the forecast is unsettled through the middle of next week and [clerk of the course] Simon Claisse said it was good to soft, soft and would be a combination of good to soft, good or soft in places on the opening day, while they don't let it be any quicker than good to soft for the first day.

"He had an awayday at Wincanton on Thursday morning and enjoyed himself.

Watch Metier win the Tolworth Hurdle

"He did do very well on Thursday, but we're not going to get ahead of ourselves, although he's where we want him."

Fry was a festival winner in 2016 when Unowhatimeanharry landed the Albert Bartlett and that horse is on the teamsheet again.

Harry FryExeter 24.10.17 Pic: Edward WhitakerCredit: Edward Whitaker( racingpost.com/photos)

Outlining the yard's festival contenders, he added: "Whitehotchillifili, who won a Listed hurdle at Sandown in January, will run in the Mares' Hurdle as long as it doesn't dry out too much.

"She has a bit to find with the main contenders, while Unowhatimeanharry will line up as a teenager in the Pertemps with Kevin Brogan on board, and If The Cap Fits is in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle, which we're probably leaning more towards as that's where his best form is.

"He won over three miles over hurdles on Grand National day in 2019 and was staying on over that trip in the Cleeve last season.

"We were then training him for Aintree again last term, which didn't happen. He's a big price, but you never know switching back to hurdles and we know he's a 160-plus horse over hurdles, so hopefully that gives him an each-way shout."

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