Harry Fry hopeful 'exciting prospect' Gidleigh Park can strike on his chasing debut at Ascot

Harry Fry has had to play the waiting game with Gidleigh Park, who begins his chasing career at Ascot on Friday, but the trainer is relishing the return of his four-time winner.

The six-year-old, who won a Grade 2 over hurdles at Cheltenham in January, faces four rivals in the 2m3f novice handicap chase (12.55).

A lack of rain and drying ground in recent weeks has meant Gidleigh Park has had to wait for his debut over fences, but Fry reports the Walk In The Park gelding to be ready for the challenge.

He said: "We've been forced to wait due to the weather, but we're looking forward to getting his chasing career started as schooling has gone very well at home.

"There's been two or three races which have been ideal but have come and gone while we've waited for the weather to change, but now it has we're excited to get him started.

"He's a very exciting prospect. Everything in his career so far has been about getting him to this point and running him over fences."

Owned by The Eyre Family, Gidleigh Park won his first four starts before finishing 16 lengths behind Stellar Story when sixth in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Fry added: "It's great he did so well as a novice over hurdles, but it was my fault entirely at the festival as I ran him in the wrong race. Three miles and testing ground wasn't ideal, but we live and learn."

Gidleigh Park's rivals include the 137-rated Rare Edition, who made a successful chasing debut at Uttoxeter last month for Charlie Longsdon.

The Ben Pauling-trained Bad finished second on his first chase start over course and distance, while five-time scorer Riskintheground and Bucksy Des Epeires complete the line-up.

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