Fry turns up heat (From Dorset Echo)

Fry turns up heat

6:30pm Sunday 24th February 2013 in Local Sport By Echo Reporter

YOUNG trainer Harry Fry enhanced his already-burgeoning reputation in saddling Opening Batsman to victory in the £100,000 Racing Plus Chase at Kempton on Saturday.

Still a novice but an evident improver, Opening Batsman (12-1) hugged the inside rail under Noel Fehily and finished the three miles that little more strongly than Paul Nicholls’ Rolling Aces, who was there with every chance but was beaten by two lengths.

He was roared back by owners the Twelfth Man Partnership, which includes cricketer Andrew Brassington.

“What a day,” said 26-year-old Fry, who oversaw the preparation last season of Nicholls’ Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby from a satellite yard at Seaborough and now trains that horse in his own right.

“I thought Noel gave him an amazing ride and he didn’t give away an inch from the inside.

“The ground and the track suited him perfectly and I’m so delighted.

“Big winners on a Saturday is what it’s all about and for a young team, it shows what we can do in the future.

“He has multiple entries at Cheltenham, but this was the plan.”