Harry Derham joins eminent Nicholls proteges with first runner on Monday

Former jump jockey Harry Derham becomes the latest of Paul Nicholls' proteges to launch a training career when he has his first runner at Huntingdon on Monday.

Multiple Grade 1 winners Harry Fry and Dan Skelton started out with the 13-time champion at Ditcheat, where Derham spent 11 years, the last six as assistant.

He set up on his own in Lambourn this year and kicks off with Seelotmorebusiness, owned by his mother Julie and formerly trained by Nicholls, in a 2m4f handicap hurdle.

"After what seems like an age, I can't wait to get started," Derham said. "It's been a challenge getting to know the gallops but my head lad Graham Baines has been an immense help as his knowledge of Lambourn has proved invaluable.

"It's great to finally get going and I'm so fortunate to have had the assistance of some brilliant people and some terrific staff to get to this point."

Seelotmorebusiness, a winner at Chepstow in 2020, has not raced since falling at Newton Abbot in October 2021.

Seelotmorebusiness (leading): has been off the course for 442 daysCredit: Pool

"He's been off the track for 442 days so is likely to improve for the run but he has done plenty of work and I would hope he can be competitive off a mark of 105," Derham said.

"It's the plan to have a few runners over the festive period with the likes of Dargiannini, Game Winner and Helenn Clermont all ready to run, conditions permitting.

"I have always been a nervous watcher so when the time does arrive I don't really know how much fun I'll be to be around but it has been a dream for a long time to have runners in my own name so I hope I can enjoy it."

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