Harry Derham was always destined for greatness in the National Hunt game having worked as Paul Nicholls’ assistant at Ditcheat for ten years. Having officially started training in 2022, four years later he is now a Grade 1 winner.
Le Frimeur produced a tremendous performance to win the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday. End of season form can often be skew-whiff, but there was no fluke as Le Frimeur trounced the 141 rated group 1 winning mare Zanoosh by six lengths.
It was a big ask stepping up in this company after just a maiden and novice hurdle to his name. Espresso Milan made the running under Danny Mullins, with Spinningyarn sat in second. Hipop De Loire was down the inside throughout, with Le Frimeur travelling strongly on the outside. Albert Bartlett favourite Doctor Steinberg was once again disappointing under Paul Townend, beaten 52 lengths.
Le Frimeur took up the running two out, and while Zanoosh posed a challenge at one stage, she couldn’t land a blow. It was mightily impressive by Le Frimeur, who extended his lead in good style halfway up the run in.
“We had no idea how good he was coming here” – Harry Derham
Speaking to Racing TV afterwards, Harry Derham couldn’t hide his jubilation. He said: “It’s a cliche, but I genuinely dream about training Grade One winners. It’s absolutely unreal. Obviously it makes it an awful lot easier with very good horses. Simon actually grabbed me on the arm at this meeting last year and said he was going to send me this horse.”
In partnership with Isaac Souede, Simon Munir won this contest with Jasmin De Vaux last season. Derham continued: “To have the access to horses like this is something unbelievable. He got a little setback in the autumn and he’s just improved and improved all spring. We had no idea how good he was coming here and I’m still not sure we do to be honest. J J said he did plenty wrong in the race and he’s beaten a quality field well. It’s absolutely unreal.
“We obviously believed in the horse a lot or else we wouldn’t have brought him here. J J thought three miles was the right thing to do and it’s absolutely unreal.”
Le Frimeur is still only a five-year-old, and now unbeaten in four starts. Derham has been waiting for a horse like this since training, and he’ll no doubt be itching to begin the season with him after the summer.