Harry Fry waves goodbye to a stable favourite and maps out Cheltenham Festival plans for a rising star

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Metier, a Grade 1 winner over jumps who went on to win the November Handicap and Chester Cup on the Flat, has run his last race after being pulled up at Ascot on Saturday. 

The ten-year-old, a son of Mastercraftsman, started his career on the Flat in Ireland with trainer Andrew Slattery but came to prominence following his 150,000gns transfer to Harry Fry's yard in Dorset. 

He made an immediate impact over hurdles, winning his first two races at Newton Abbot and Ascot before landing the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown at the start of 2021 by 12 lengths. 

Although he failed to reach the same heights again over jumps, Metier was rejuvenated on the Flat, winning the 2022 November Handicap and the following year's Chester Cup under Saffie Osborne.

"He's given us some memorable days both over hurdles and on the Flat," said Fry. "He was a wonderful horse and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for the big days he provided us with. 

"He travelled well and jumped well for three-quarters of the race on Saturday, but he just doesn't have the legs to go on any more and it's nice we can retire him while he's fit and healthy. We'll find him a lovely home."

Metier: won seven of his 31 races under rules Credit: Mark Cranham

Owned by Gary Stevens, Metier also contested the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at the end of 2023, while his only other win over hurdles came in the £100,000 Sovereign Handicap Hurdle at Lingfield in 2022. 

"He was our first Grade 1 winner from our new yard at Higher Crockermoor when winning the Tolworth and he's given me my highest profile wins on the Flat as well," added Fry. "We bought him as a three-year-old and he feels very much part of the furniture, with my wife Ciara riding him every day. 

"I'd say the Chester Cup was the highlight because he missed the break and it looked unlikely for most of the way. There's nothing more exciting than getting up in the final strides, and he got two excellent rides from Saffie when winning that and the November Handicap."

At his best when the mud was flying, Metier won seven of his 31 races under rules, amassing £250,947 in prize-money.  

While Metier represents the past for Fry, Idaho Sun is very much the future having landed the race which replaced the Tolworth, the Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle, at Aintree on December 26.

His trainer had been toying with prepping Idaho Sun for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle in a Listed race at Exeter in February, but has decided to head straight for the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival on March 10.

Idaho Sun: Grade 1 Formby winner is heading to the Cheltenham Festival nextCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's all set to go straight to the festival," said Fry. "Having had three runs over hurdles and having scored at the highest level, we're happy to use the next seven weeks to get him spot on for the Supreme at home. He took Aintree well and all roads lead to Cheltenham. 

"He ran in the Champion Bumper last season on only his third start and that experience of Cheltenham will stand him in good stead. I always felt that whatever he did at Aintree, Cheltenham would suit him even better."

Fry said he was still "licking his wounds" after Gidleigh Park failed to shine in Saturday's Grade 1 Clarence Chase at Ascot. The strapping eight-year-old struggled to find any fluency in his jumping and was pulled up after the sixth fence. 

He said: "We're regrouping and want to make sure he comes out of it okay this week before making definitive plans. It wasn't what we were hoping for and his race was over early on. Thankfully he seems to be okay."

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 10)
Sky Bet: 5-2 Old Park Star, 4 El Cairos, 8 Talk The Talk, 12 Mighty Park, Mydaddypaddy, 14 Idaho Sun, 16 Mossy Fen Road, 20 bar.

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