Fry on cloud nine
Harry Fry's tough eight-year-old recorded his seventh straight win at Ascot as he comfortably held off the challenge of Lil Rockerfeller
UNOWHATIMEANHARRY took the Long Walk to a seventh straight victory at foggy Ascot.
Barry Geraghty stalked the leaders on Harry Fry's game eight-year-old and, as the runners emerged from the gloom after the last, kicked clear.
Ballyoptic could have made a race of it but gave champion jockey Richard Johnson a shuddering fall at the final flight and that allowed Unowhatimeanharry to beat Lil Rockerfeller by a comfortable four and half lengths.
Unowhatimeanharry was cut to 2-1 favourite from 5s by Paddy Power for Cheltenham's World Hurdle.
Trainer Fry said: "We have had to rely on a jockey's report with all that fog about but, from what I could see - and from what Barry said - it was a good run and a proper test in a Grade 1."
Geraghty said: "He did it well. He had to work harder here than he did last time but he kept galloping to the line so it was a decent performance.
"He's very good, but he only does as much as he has to. He probably has a little more class than he lets on."
Fry added: "Hopefully it will be the Cleeve Hurdle next and then big one at the Festival.
"He's come through it and the dream goes on.
"We will enjoy this win first - the Long Walk Hurdle is a Grade 1 in its own right - as it's a memorable day, for sure.
"It means a lot. It is extraordinary. You could never hope for this or predicted it, but that's what brilliant about jumps racing. Sometimes these horses come along and they just keep finding. He is progressing unbelievably well and long may it continue."
Geraghty made it a double for gaffer JP McManus in the next when Regal Encore - who had failed to finish five of his last runs - bounced back to form to win the Silver Cup at 20-1.
