HARRY Fry’s Unowhatimeanharry disappointed at Cheltenham, finishing third in today’s showpiece, the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle.

The 5-6 favourite was expected to cruise to victory at the Festival but was three and a half lengths away, and was upstaged by winner Nichols Canyon, ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Frank Berry, owner JP McManus’ racing manager, said of Harry Fry’s market leader: “He ran well, but he wasn’t good enough. There are no excuses.”

Asked whether he’ll run again this season, he added: “We’ll see how he comes out of it.”

It was only the winners’ second attempt at three miles, but the seven-year-old showed he had no problem getting to grips with the trip.

He was held up in the early stages, as 2015 winner Cole Harden set a strong pace that had the field well strung out.

When he faded out of contention, Lil Rockerfeller set sail for home, but Nichols Canyon was produced to lead on the run-in and score by three-quarters of a length.

Speaking after the race, Nichols Canyon’s trainer, Willie Mullins said: “It was some performance. I didn’t particularly think the three miles would suit.

“But he learned to settle and Ruby got him settled out the back door and that made a difference.”

I imagine we were a little fortunate, too, as Ruby came over and got the rail and all the other horses were all at sea coming up the middle, but you take what you get.

“He is tough I just thought he would be too keen over that trip. With age, a lot of these horses learn to settle.”

“His last bit of work I thought we would change his stable and work rider. Sometimes when horses are not doing anything you just change things for the sake of changing them.

“He always works a bit dead so we decided to change his routine to see if that worked.