'We're not going over for the Guinness' - Fry readies Galway raider in Lambourn

Dorset trainer Harry Fry made the trip to West Berkshire on Thursday morning to put the finishing touches to the preparation of useful hurdler , who he is aiming at a valuable contest at the Galway festival this month.

The lightly raced gelding, a smart bumper performer last seen finishing second at Uttoxeter in March, is due to contest the €110,000 BoyleSports Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday of Galway (July 30) and geared up for the contest by exercising under Sean Bowen on the Jockey Club's facilities in Lambourn.

Fry has never had a winner at Galway, but is also set to run in the Connacht Hotel Handicap, which is also worth €110,000 and takes place on the first day (July 25) of the week-long festival.

"Boothill schooled on the all-weather strip and then worked on the back of the hill this morning," Fry said.

"We bumped into Mr [Nicky] Henderson and were told to bugger off back to Dorset in the friendliest possible way!

Boothill: Sean Bowen is set to ride him in IrelandCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"It was a nice day away. It would be the plan for Sean to ride him at Galway. There's no jump racing in Britain, so hopefully we can prise him away from his quest for the jockeys' title for the day.

"The race has been a target for a while, and it's the same with Winterwatch. We were keen to try him back on the Flat with this race in mind. He won his prep race a fortnight ago at Kempton, so he's all set to go."

Litterale Ci was third in the 2m1f race for Fry last year before filling the same spot in the contest for which Boothill is earmarked.

"Minella Awards was also placed in that handicap hurdle for us," Fry added. "They are valuable prizes we'd like to win.

"My sister-in-law Aine O'Connor – the new Mrs Madden having married Niall 'Slippers' Madden – will ride Winterwatch.

"The owners are all looking forward to going over and I think that's the case more than normal after the last couple of years we've had with the pandemic.

"That said, we're not going over for the Guinness. It will form part of the trip, but we've been lucky enough – or unlucky – to hit the crossbar at the meeting and we're keen to get our head in front, and have two horses we think can be competitive."

Read these next:

Irish racing has 'no intention' of following BHA lead on stricter whip rules

Galway festival hotel rates soar as racegoers feel accommodation pinch

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.