Gidleigh Park back ‘in great form’ ahead of Aintree trip

Harry Fry is excited to return Gidleigh Park to the track at Aintree, buoyed by the Cheltenham Festival success of Caldwell Potter.

The Dorset handler’s stable star was pulled up after suffering from a fibrillating heart on his chasing debut at Kempton in late November

However, he bounced back to show his true colours in the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Windsor in January, recording a decisive verdict over Paul Nicholls’ big-money buy, who franked the form in style when impressively winning the Jack Richards Novices’ Chase at Prestbury Park.

Gidleigh Park missed Cheltenham with a further setback, but Fry is confident he is firing on all cylinders ahead of a move into Grade One company at the Grand National Festival.

“It was disappointing that we weren’t able to get Gidleigh Park to Cheltenham, especially after seeing the horse he beat at Windsor, Caldwell Potter, bolt up the way he did,” said the Grosvenor Sports ambassador.

“While it was tough to watch, it obviously gives us confidence as we send him to Aintree.

“We’re undecided as to which race he’ll go for at the meeting right now. He has the option of the two-mile and two-and-a-half-mile novice chases, we’ll make the call nearer the time. He’s in great form and we’re excited to take the wraps off him.”

Also making the move into deep waters on Merseyside is stablemate Altobelli, who could take on the challenge of the William Hill Aintree Hurdle or the longer Liverpool Hurdle on Grand National day after thriving when stepped up in trip this term with a pair of taking Ascot handicap victories.

“We’re looking forward to stepping him up to Grade One company,” continued Fry.

“He’ll probably get an entry in both the Aintree Hurdle and Liverpool Hurdle, and we’ll make a decision on which route we take nearer the time once we’ve a better idea of the opposition and the ground.

“Our original thought had been to send him over three miles, but we’ll see how things stand a little closer to the day.”