Derham thinking of Irish excursions with smart novices

Two of Harry Derham’s top novice hurdlers could have trips to Ireland on their agenda before the season is out.

The exciting Mossy Fen Road was slated to line-up in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle before an 11th hour setback scuppered an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival. However, there is the possibility of an end-of-term visit to Punchestown.

“The Supreme was very much the plan and on the morning of confirmations he trapped his epiglottis which made for a really rubbish morning,” Derham explained.

“He’s fine again now and back riding and has had the procedure that he needed. He won’t be ready for Aintree but he might go Punchestown if he goes anywhere this season.

“It was just one of those incredibly frustrating things and with horses you are never too far away from a disaster.”

Mossy Fen Road may have missed out on the Cheltenham Festival, but more positively, Derham could not help but be delighted by the way Jackie Hobbs ran on to finish an honourable fifth in a competitive running of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at odds of 66-1.

That run has given connections the right to aim high at the back-end of the current campaign, with an Easter trip to Fairyhouse proving tempting.

“We were extremely pleased with her run and thought it was a career best over hurdles. She flew home and we’re very proud of her,” continued Derham.

“It gets lost amongst the Festival, but I thought Paul (O’Brien) gave her a fantastic ride considering she was a big-priced runner in the race and she could now go to Fairyhouse for the Grade One Honeysuckle Mares Novice.

“You look at her run at Cheltenham and that doesn’t look a silly plan as it is two-and-a-half miles which I am pretty confident will bring out some improvement in her.

“I’m looking at Fairyhouse and seeing it as a very attractive option if she is well in a few weeks. Noel (Fehily, syndicate owner) is very keen and it will all come down to how she is, but she seems in good nick and it’s a nice option.”

One from Derham’s string who will not be seen again this term is Dovecote winner Klub De Reve, who will return in the autumn after meeting with an injury following his Grade Two success at Kempton.