‘I don’t think it’s mental to say he can run at Cheltenham - he’s a good horse’ - Supreme trial next for unbeaten novice

Cristal D’Estruval teed up a likely tilt at the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock next month when maintaining his unbeaten record for Harry Derham.

The Barratt Racing-owned five-year-old was a £400,000 purchase at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale at Prestbury Park in March and landed a warm maiden hurdle at Warwick last month.

Paul O’Brien’s mount was sent off the 1-14 favourite under a 7lb penalty in the 2m1f novices' hurdle and scored by 38 lengths, with a step up to Grade 2 level forthcoming at the Merseyside track on January 17.

Derham said on Racing TV: “He had to achieve more at Warwick, but I wanted to get another run into him before going for something better. I have the Supreme Trial at Haydock in mind, but I wouldn’t run him on desperate ground as he has a good action.

“I don’t think it’s mental to say he can run at Cheltenham. I think he’s a good horse. He'll eventually want further than two miles, but I’m not in a rush to do that.”

Treble up

Nab Wood headlined a 57-1 treble for Danny McMenamin when winning the £30,000 Pertemps qualifier by three and a quarter lengths. He was introduced at 20-1 for the Pertemps Final by Paddy Power.

Two of McMenamin’s winners came for Nicky Richards, with Pitwood Road making a successful stable debut in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle, before the rider steered the William Young jnr-trained Fostered Phil to victory in the 2m1f handicap hurdle.

Off the mark

Cheltenham Festival-winning rider John Dawson trained his first winner under rules when Capricciose won the 2m bumper.

Dawson, who won the Hunters' Chase on the Fiona Needham-trained Sine Nomine last year, has a nice prospect in the daughter of Capri, who won by a length and a half under Brian Hughes in the Desert Orchid colours of owner Richard Burridge.

Read more: 

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