Ask Me Early gives Harry Fry perfect start to long-term Grand National plan with hurdles success

Harry Fry is yet to have a runner in the Randox Grand National but he has high hopes that Ask Me Early could become his first starter in the world’s greatest chase in 2022 after securing a “bonus” victory over hurdles at Exeter today.

Making his first start since undergoing a wind operation, the seven year old showed his assured stamina when forging on close home to land the Betway Supports Safer Gambling Week Novices’ Hurdle under Sean Bowen.

Looking booked for second after the last the 6-4 favourite reeled in long-time leader Grange Road in the closing strides before obliging by a neck to give Fry his first win in the race since Thomas Brown claimed the 2014 renewal.

Fry said: “That was a nice bonus. Today was literally come here and get his season started. As long as he came out of it in one piece that is what mattered.

“He has a great attitude. After the last, to come back shows he has a real will to win. We are looking forward to bigger targets over fences.

“I’ve never had a runner in the Grand National and he is probably the first horse that I feel fits that bill but that is in April and today is 2nd November.”

Before tackling the famous Aintree fences, Ask Me Early will head to Chepstow on Saturday 4th December for the Coral Welsh Grand National Trial ahead of taking in the feature race itself later that month.

Fry continued: “I’ve made no secret of the fact that we are targeting the Welsh Grand National and he will next be seen out in the trial on December 4th when the weights are already published for the Welsh National, then on to there.

“He was great around Chepstow last year as he won twice there. He is a very exciting second-season chaser.”

Sam Twiston-Davies celebrated his 50th winner of the season following the front running success secured by Brief Times in the Betway Novices’ Hurdle.

Despite jumping left throughout the 6-1 chance found plenty from the front to defeat Reilly by five and a half lengths and make a winning debut over hurdles. 

The extended two mile prize has been a good pointer to the future having been been claimed in recent years by subsequent Grade One winners Yanworth (2015), Dynamite Dollars (2017) and Sporting John (2019). 

Neil Mulholland, winning trainer, said: “He was just a bit green in front and he jumped a bit left as he needed a bit of company. It was also the first time he had been over those rubber hurdles.

“He has the hood on as he just a little bit buzzy but he has been very good today and the hood could easily come off.

“On the back of that, we will try win another smaller one and hope there is a bit of pace in the race he can follow.

“This trip is fine now but I can see by the end of the season him stepping up at some stage.”

By Graham Clark