3 minute read
Le Frimeur took the step up to Grade 1 company in his stride to provide English-based trainer Harry Derham with a memorable first top-level success in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.
The son of Gemix was stepping up to Grade 1 level for the first time and looking to defend his unbeaten record having added to his hurdling debut victory at Chepstow with a battling win at Newbury in March.
It looked as though recent Grade 1 winner Zanoosh was going to run him down up the straight but under an all-action J J Slevin, Le Frimeur, who was prominent throughout, found plenty to see off the challenge and score by six and a half lengths in the Double Green colours of Simon Munir & Isaac Souede.
Charles Byrnes' I Started A Joke finished six lengths further away in third.
"It's a dream realised. When you start out you dream of having a winner. I spend a lot of my days dreaming of training Grade 1 winners," Derham told Racing TV.
"Just to have runners against your heroes at big festivals is amazing. To have access to horses like this for these owners is special.
"He won nicely at Chepstow and had a small setback; he needed six weeks. So, we worked towards Punchestown, he ran at Newbury and we knew there was masses of improvement in him from that day.
"I really felt he was a blank canvas. He has the advantage of being fresh, but I thought that was a dominant performance and he's an extremely exciting horse.
"This is a horse that doesn't give much more than you ask. As JJ said after he just keeps galloping.
"I like the fact he did a bit wrong today and still won in this company.
"We've always seen him as a chaser. He's got size and scope. I will probably spend every day between now and November dreaming of him!"
Paddy Power introduced the winner at 33/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at next year's Cheltenham Festival.
Shortly after there was further breakthrough Grade 1 success when Joshua Halford steered With Nolimit to victory in the Race & Stay At Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race
Gordon Elliott's performer could only finish ninth behind The Mourne Rambler when they met in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March but under Joshua Halford, son of Group 1-winning trainer Michael Halford, he battled on well up the straight to reverse the form.
The Mourne Rambler kept him honest all the way but couldn't quite reel in the eventual winner, who ultimately prevailed by a length and three quarters. Boycetown finished back in third.
A delighted Joshua Halford, who was landing Grade 1 honours for the first time, told Racing TV: "It hasn't sunk in yet. I only found out about four or five hours ago I was riding him, so it probably wasn't a bad thing I didn't have too much time to dream!
"I'm just delighted, I can't believe, I'm over the moon. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited when I got the call.
"I can't thank Gordon (Elliott) enough, he's been so good to me since day dot."