Harry Fry rocked by death of "irreplaceable" Neon Wolf

Neon Wolf, who was among last season’s top novice hurdlers, has died after suffering an accident in his stable.

Harry Fry revealed the loss of his rising star via social media on Monday afternoon and said he would be “irreplaceable”.

The six-year-old’s only defeat in four outings was when beaten a head by Willoughby Court in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

“We are deeply saddened to report the loss of the brilliantly talented Neon Wolf over the weekend following a freak accident in his stable,” Fry said.

“He had the potential to go right to the top and it is hard to come to terms with the fact that he has gone having suffered a complete laceration of his right hindlimb deep digital flexor tendon.

“It is a dreadful blow to his owners the Masterson family and all of the team here at Seaborough. We all shared such high hopes and dreams for Neon Wolf who came tantalising close to success at this year's Cheltenham Festival in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle.”

Neon Wolf, easy winner of his only point-to-point race, had been expected to make up into a top-class chaser this campaign.

“A big, imposing fluent jumper who started his career in an Irish point-to-point, he was a horse who had everything you look for in a top class racehorse,” Fry said. “Very sadly he will not now get the chance to fulfil the promise he had shown us, he will be irreplaceable.”