IF The Cap Fits is set to test his mettle in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.
Trainer Harry Fry won the Grade 2 with stable legend Unowhatimeanharry and is ready to take on Stayers champ Paisley Park.
Emma Lavelle’s star won this last season on the way to Festival glory and is the odds-on favourite for Saturday’s three mile test.
But Fry has Cheltenham dreams of his own and is happy with his horse after a small setback following his Ascot win in the Coral Hurdle.
Fry told Sun Racing: “Its exciting to be going into a weekend like this with a live chance in a big race, its what its all about.
“Well see where we stand against the reigning champion Paisley Park anyway.
“Hes a worthy champion, but you could argue If The Cap Fits ran a career best last time. We were giving 6lbs away to Call Me Lord who then went on to win the International Hurdle.”
Frys stayer has put his best foot forward on a sound surface and the Dorset handler thinks there could be more in the tank.
He added: It took him a little longer to get over Ascot than we imagined and thats why he wasnt seen out over Christmas.
“But this will be only his second go at three miles and hes unexposed. Last year we were up and down with trip and then it wasnt until he went up to three miles at Aintree we saw him take a real jump forwards.
“Its his first run at Cheltenham so theres lots for us and him to learn. The experience will do him the world of good and with a return here in March hopefully confirmed after Saturday.
“Weve always avoided testing ground with him so Im pleased to see a dry forecast before Saturday. But hes proven he goes on it when he won at Ascot.
“We just think hes slightly better on a better surface but good horses have to win on all ground and hes shown that now.
“This has proven to be a great prep for the Stayers Hurdle down the years and hopefully the dream will still be alive come Saturday.”
Fry has also entered exciting youngster King Rowland in the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
He was beat on his hurdling debut at Newbury but routed his rivals at Exeter next time out and Fry has high hopes, even if Cheltenham comes too soon this weekend.
He said: “We entered King Rowland to see what the race looked like.
“I havent gone into it too much yet but its another nice spot for him. Hell like the step up in trip which I think is key to him.
“Well look at the opposition and any other options there are beforehand.
“Hes a horse with an exciting future. He was beat narrowly on his hurdling debut to a nice horse, but used that experience at Exeter when stepped up in trip.”
King Rowland is a 4-1 shot for Saturday’s race behind Philip Hobbs’ Sporting John who is 6-4.
