Gidleigh Park in line for chasing return at Exeter

Gidleigh Park could get his novice chasing career back up and running at Exeter on Monday after suffering an episode of atrial fibrillation at Kempton in November.

One of the stars of Harry Fry’s Higher Crockermoor string, the strapping seven-year-old won three of his four starts over hurdles last term, including a Grade Two at Cheltenham on Trials day.

He would go on to finish sixth in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, but his future was always set to be over fences and hopes were high he could make a real impression over the larger obstacles this term.

Sent to Kempton Park for a clash with Nicky Henderson’s Iberico Lord he was sent off the 10-11 favourite, but was pulled up halfway through the contest with Gidleigh Park found to have an irregular heartbeat.

Fry is now eager to “start from scratch” with his exciting chasing prospect and, given a clean bill of health, could now head to the Exeter Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase over two miles and three furlongs.

“He’s made a full recovery and he entered on Monday,” said Fry.

“What happened on his chasing debut was obviously disappointing, but a reason came to light straight away with the atrial fibrillation and irregular heartbeat. That reset itself by its own accord within 24 hours and everything has gone according to plan as we’ve gone back up through the gears.”

Fry went on: “He did suffer an episode in October 2023 and we were able to manage that during his novice hurdle campaign.

“Why it happened again, we don’t know and there was no obvious reason for it. He is obviously more prone to it than others might be, but everything has gone well since Kempton and hopefully that remains the case.

“We’ll forget Kempton and we start from scratch and hopefully Exeter is a nice starting point for him.

“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves and first and foremost we just want to get him back and can then make plans on the back of it.”

Prior to Gidleigh Park’s impending return to the track, Fry is hoping Kempton can survive the wintry conditions threatening this Saturday’s valuable meeting so he can saddle Beat The Bat in the feature Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle.

Yet to finish outside the first two over obstacles, he made an encouraging return over an intermediate trip at Haydock in November and is the 6-1 second-favourite with the sponsors for the £100,000 prize.

“We were very pleased with his reappearance at Haydock, we had the option to drop back to two miles at Ascot before Christmas but we decided this race would suit him better,” continued Fry.

“I hope the weather doesn’t interfere with our plans because he’s in good form and we’re looking forward to taking our chance.

“He’s only once been out of the first two in his career to date and he’s got some very good form in defeat, so we hope he’s still progressive as a second-season hurdler.

“With a bit of luck there is a valuable prize in him, that’s always been our feeling and hopefully he gets the opportunity to do that.”