Derham dreaming big with The Burren Man

Harry Derham is mapping out likely campaigns for his clutch of talented novice hurdlers, headed by The Burren Man.

The four-year-old, who is owned by the Smash Racing syndicate which includes golfer Graeme McDowell, was a nine-and-a-half-length victor at Carlisle last Sunday having cost €180,000 in spring, but Derham believes the point-to-point runner-up’s future really lies over fences.

“I was delighted with The Burren Man at Carlisle, he’s a big, raw horse – he must be 17 hands. He won’t be that busy this season, he could go to Ascot for a two-mile-five-furlong novice hurdle on January 17,” said Derham.

“I actually think he’s got enormous ability but I’m just going to have to mind him, he’s a fine, big horse. He looks like he’s had a run now, so we’ll go steady but I think he could be a very good chaser in time.”

Mossy Fen Road’s sole defeat came in a bumper at Aintree on Grand National day and he saw off former smart Flat performer Mondo Man on his hurdling debut at Lingfield recently.

“Mossy Fen Road was good. Jumping the second- last I thought he’d run over the wrong trip but I think he probably outstayed Mondo Man in the end,” said Derham.

“He’ll carry a penalty over Christmas, hopefully in a class three at Chepstow on Welsh National day. I’d love to go there and then try to go to Cheltenham on Trials Day.”

Cristal D’Estruval cost £400,000 having won an Irish point-to-point and he looked very good when making a winning hurdling debut at Warwick.

Derham added: “Cristal D’Estruval will go for an introductory hurdle at Newbury over Christmas. His performance, for a four-year-old, was pretty exciting.

“Paul (O’Brien) said he jumped two out and thought he was going to blow up but he had a bit of a blow then took off again, which is usually the sign of a good one.”

Derham has welcomed prominent owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede into the yard this season and they saw their colours carried to victory by Le Frimeur at Chepstow, but he has suffered a minor setback.

The trainer added: “Le Frimeur actually got a little injury after Chepstow which was annoying so he’ll miss Christmas, but he’s in the same mould – a blank canvas who will make a nice chaser we hope.

“Last season we were running our four-year-olds in bumpers and I’m not sure what we were achieving. I saw The Burren Man schooling and said he wasn’t going for a bumper as chasing is his game. He won’t be busy but you hope you are producing smart chasers.”