Derham’s delight at Novice Hurdle triumph
BOXFORD trainer Harry Derham was celebrating after watching Huffin An A Puffin land the Novice Hurdle at Newbury on Friday.
The 10/1 shot was held up at the start, but moved through the field to dispute the lead just after the last fence and then held off a strong challenge from Ballybentragh to clinch victory.
“It was a big surprise – I don’t mind saying it,” the trainer told the Racing Post.
“He’s a lovely big horse, but he’s been backward.
“I thought a bumper run was a waste of time because he jumps nicely and he must be a nice horse to win like that on debut with no experience.”
There was another local winner on Friday – the final meeting of the jumps season at Newbury – as Maclaine, owned by Newbury chairman Dominic Burke, landed the 2m6½f Handicap Chase.
And there was a popular win to Natalie Parker, a pupil assistant to Paul Nicholls, who steered the veteran Secret Investor to victory in the Hunter Chase.
Saturday’s racing was interrupted for 30 minutes because of a medical incident at the track.
Runners for the second race, a novice handicap hurdle at 2.10, had left the parade
ring and made their way to post.
But just before the start, the race was delayed as medical staff attended the incident.
Derham had to settle for second place in the Betfair Handicap Chase on Saturday.
Sir Psycho, ridden by Paul O’Brien, took the lead at the last, but was overhauled in
the closing stages by evens favourite Heltenham.
Derham also saw Lario place third in the Novices Hurdle.
The next racing at Newbury will be day one of the Dubai Duty Free Spring trials on Friday, April 19, that marks the start of the flat season at the course.