Harry Fry issues warning to punters over Betfair Hurdle favourite Metier

Harry Fry has warned that Betfair Hurdle favourite Metier is not a definite runner at Newbury next month.

The trainer has been considering an alternative option at Exeter and could also send the Tolworth Hurdle winner straight to Cheltenham, where he is the shortest-priced British contender for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old is the general 6-1 chance for the Betfair Hurdle on February 13, following his 12-length Grade 1 victory at Sandown this month.

Betfair Hurdle card and betting

But Fry said: "He has got an entry in the Betfair Hurdle in just over a fortnight’s time, but there is no definite decision yet.

"There is a race at Exeter the day after, in which he would only have a 5lb penalty, but then if you are looking at that, why not run in a Betfair? I would say that if he doesn't run in the Betfair, he would go straight to Cheltenham, though you can never say never.

"If the weather keeps as it is, there's every chance he will line up in the Betfair Hurdle. I think a better race with an even stronger gallop will suit him better again. We were able to drop him in the last day in the Tolworth, but we would have still been happier if they had gone faster."

The unbeaten hurdler is entered in the Supreme and the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and Fry said: "Metier is a Tolworth winner and the Supreme is the much more likely of the two races, but we will just keep our options open at this stage.

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"He has done everything right so far over hurdles and he's a very exciting novice that seems to be progressing."

Reflecting on Sandown, the trainer said: "Sean Bowen turned in with a double handful and he put plenty of distance between himself and his rivals, particularly after the last.

"Not many came up the hill that day in the manner he did. He has only just turned five, so hopefully there's more to come."

The Willie Mullins-trained Leopardstown Grade 1 winner Appreciate It is the general 5-2 favourite for the Supreme, one of a record 59 Irish horses put in a race which has attracted a total of 96 entries.

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle card and betting

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