'The first part of the plan has gone well' - Harry Derham relishing tilt at £100,000 Swinton Hurdle with Brentford Hope

Harry Derham has had a successful start as a trainer and his new operation could land its biggest prize yet when Brentford Hope runs in Saturday's Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle (3.15), the £100,000 feature on Haydock's mixed card.

Derham, who struck with his first ever runner on Boxing Day in Seelotmorebusiness, enjoyed 14 winners at a strike-rate of 25 per cent in his first few months in the training ranks, and he could kickstart the new campaign with a bang courtesy of Brentford Hope.

The general 7-1 shot needed one runner to come out at declarations on Thursday morning and that happened, with Brentford Hope and the Dan Skelton-trained Lunar Sovereign making the final cut. 

Rated 107 at his peak on the Flat, Brentford Hope finished second three times over the smaller obstacles for Richard Hughes before being purchased by Derham and his bloodstock agent Ed Bailey for 90,000gns in February and scoring comfortably at Wincanton and Huntingdon on his last two starts. 

"When we bought him we were sort of thinking we'd try and win two novice hurdles with him and then run him in this race," said Derham. "The first part of the plan has gone well."

While Derham was enjoying his Huntingdon success with Seelotmorebusiness on Boxing Day, Brentford Hope was being beaten off a mark of 113 in his first handicap hurdle at Wetherby that same afternoon. The winner, Dancewiththewind, did at least follow up on his next start, but Brentford Hope is now rated 10lb higher in a tougher race.

"I think from experience and watching the handicapper, they're rarely far out," said Derham. "He didn't get moved after his first run and I suppose that was fair enough because it was very questionable what he beat, but second time he beat a decent yardstick of Nicky Henderson's [Impose Toi] quite nicely so I think, on what he's achieved, 123 is fair."

Derham was involved in the preparation of a string of high-profile successes when assisting his uncle and champion trainer Paul Nicholls for six years and is hopeful Brentford Hope can provide him with a notable victory of his own, as the son of Camelot returns to the track where he won a mile handicap in October 2020.

"It's exciting," he said. "Obviously it's nice that it's a big race, but it feels like a suitable one for him. He's got good Haydock form, a high cruising speed and you'd like to think that perhaps he's not quite shown how good he is over hurdles just yet.

"His piece of form behind Rubaud looks quite nice now. I'm obviously very excited and I hope he goes and runs really well."

The six-year-old takes on a full field of 16 rivals including Byker, who was beaten only a neck by Jazzy Matty at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Derham will also be represented in Merseyside by Dargiannini in the Pertemps Network Long Distance Handicap Hurdle (1.35), the other valuable jumps race on the card which also features a maximum field of 17. 

Success in Haydock's £50,000 opener would offer some tonic to owner Andrew Mitchell, whose beloved Derby County football club missed out on the League One play-offs in dramatic circumstances on Sunday.

Dargiannini: stepping up in trip at Haydock on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Dargiannini could not complete a hat-trick at Aintree's Grand National meeting following wins at Uttoxeter and Newbury, finishing 11th, but Derham said: "He ran well at Aintree for a long time before just not quite being good enough – it was a very competitive race.

"We're interested to step up to three miles. Paul [O'Brien] is of the opinion that now he's quite settled in his races that he might just get three miles. It's not a very stamina-sapping course so if he stays it opens up a few more options for next year."

Looking ahead to his first full season as a trainer, Derham added: "We're always looking to try and grow our numbers. We've had a few horses being sent to us which is really nice.

"Hopefully we'll be able to buy a few horses this summer, we're certainly going to try to. It's an exciting time – I just turned 13 horses out in the field at Ed Bailey's, so hopefully we'll end up with a very nice group of horses."

Leading Royal Ascot hope Creative Force heads the entries on the Flat at Haydock when he takes on just three rivals in the Pertemps Network Conditions Stakes (2.45). 

The Godolphin sprinter leads the market for the recently renamed Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, formerly known as the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, and bids to open his account this season with success in this weekend's £25,000 sprint under James Doyle. 

Also featuring on Saturday's card is the Listed Pertemps Network Spring Trophy Stakes (3.50), which will feature six runners including dual Group 1 winner Angel Bleu and Al Mubhir, who runs for last year's winning trainer William Haggas. 

Swinton Handicap Hurdle runners and riders

Aucunrisque Nick Scholfield
Homme Public Henry Brooke
Parramount Aidan Coleman
Teddy Blue Caoilin Quinn
Nibiru TBC
Onemorefortheroad Jack Quinlan
Fruit N Nut Brian Hughes
Parisencore Danny McMenamin
Byker Philip Byrnes
Hurricane Ali Alan Doyle
Get Back Get Back Ben Bromley
Takeit Easy Alex Edwards
Black Poppy Adam Wedge
Jamacho Bradley Roberts
Washington Sean Bowen
Brentford Hope Paul O'Brien
Lunar Sovereign Ciaran Gethings

Read more here:

Chester regular Marwan Koukash declared bankrupt and removed as a registered owner  

Lingfield's Derby Trial card switched to all-weather with waterlogged turf course unraceable  

Tom Segal tipped 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj at 20-1 - subscribe now with 50% off and don't miss out on a massive month for Pricewise  

Do you want £200+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.