Classy Flyer keeps Harry Fry sizzling

A review of the action from Wincanton, where Harry Fry sent out a double initiated by the exciting Fletcher's Flyer.

Harry Fry's red-hot start to 2015 continued as Fletchers Flyer turned the Bathwick Tyres Bridgwater Novices' Hurdle into a procession at Wincanton.

Always handy, Nick Scholfield's mount took a narrow advantage heading out for the second circuit and slowly galloped his rivals into submission.

The writing was on the wall some way out for Aqalim, who jumped to his left on occasion in the early stages and was at one stage some way adrift.

His rider Richard Johnson never gave up on his return from suspension, but while he was eventually second, the 11/10 favourite had many lengths in hand.

Fry was at Sandown, from where he said: "He's hopefully going to go to Haydock for a three-mile Grade Two novice hurdle in the second week of February.

"There were some nice, unexposed novices going into the race, but he's done it well in the end. He won at the Punchestown Festival last year, making all in a bumper, and hopefully that's where we'll end up."

Scholfield added: "He handled the ground and they went a good gallop in the conditions. Harry and Noel (Fehily) were pretty keen for me to make it a true test. Most of the other lads came in a said 'what a gallop' but it felt pretty easy on him."

It was a double on the card for Fry when Blue Buttons (5/1) put up a brave performance from the front in the Bathwick Tyres Poole Handicap Hurdle under Gary Derwin.

Fry said: "She's tough and consistent, she's probably a handicapper's dream as he hasn't moved her for three or four starts - let's hope he takes the same view after this!"

Johnson did enjoy a comeback winner as he produced a masterful performance in the saddle to nurse Filbert into contention at just the right moment for the Bathwick Tyres Handicap Chase.

There were three in a line by the time the runners got to three out, as Tango De Juilley, Black River and the eventual winner had it to themselves.

Black River was the first to crack, with the Philip Hobbs-trained Filbert (7/2) finding just enough to hold the gallant Tango De Juilley by three-quarters of a length.

Johnson, who was forced to sit out a 12-day ban over the Christmas period after taking the wrong course at Exeter, told Racing UK: "It was pretty horrible ground out there and unfortunately he has a tendency to jump right-handed, which when you are trying to stay off the bad ground isn't ideal.

"But he's a horse that enjoys a bit of confidence and on the second circuit he did start to enjoy himself and the better he went then. In these conditions you can't be too forecful and asking them all the time.

"I knew if he got into it he'd have every chance. We always felt this trip was what he wanted but on better ground - it was 50-50 this morning whether he ran."

He added: "It's great to be back, it's been a quiet Christmas but a very busy one with the family, so some good and some bad."

Seamus Mullins' Somchine held on for a last-gasp success from Call Me Vic in the Bathwick Tyres Yeovil Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

The Andrew Thornton-ridden winner (10/1) took command soon after jumping the third-last and cemented that when pinging two out.

After safely negotiating the final fence he looked all set to be driven out to victory, but was given a major fright as the long-time prominent Call Me Vic rallied on the stands side, with just a neck separating the pair in the end.

Thornton, edging ever closer to 1,000 career winners, said: "He was 7lb higher than when I won on him at Fontwell and it was a lot better race today. I gave him a pop over fence this morning just to take the sting out of him, as he's a very, very fresh horse.

"He can be very keen in his races, but he spat the bridle out early on today which was great - if he hadn't I'd have struggled to get home.

"He got a bit tight to the last, but I just felt when the other horse came to him he was just finding enough."

Miss Sassypants (8/1) took the concluding Bathwick Tyres Salisbury Novices' Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Ryan Mahon to give the Mullins team a double.

Bang On Time made up for an early departure at Towcester when taking the Bathwick Tyres Dorchester Novices' Handicap Chase.

Given a smart ride by Daryl Jacob, the Richard Woollacott-trained 11/4 chance wandered slightly in front but stayed on strongly to hold Shanann Star by a fairly comfortable length and a half.

Head Spin, the 2-1 favourite, was another length back in third, with a mistake at a crucial point not having helped his chance.