Derham proves spot on

Rising star Harry Derham nominated the Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham as Givemefive's first target on page 54 of One Jump Ahead and the four year old didn't let his supporters down (7/2) at Prestbury Park on Saturday. The Hoy Roman Emperor gelding was narrowly beaten in the Grade 2 Adonis Hurdle at Kempton last term and warmed up for this with a run on the Flat at Haydock last month. Despite the fact the final flight was taken out due to the low sun, Paul O'Brien's mount stayed on strongly to beat Dodger Long by a length and a quarter.

Similarly, Lucinda Russell's interview is producing winners at regular intervals with Walk On Quest (3/1) and Old Gregorian (20/1) both scoring at Kelso on Saturday. The dual Grand National winning trainer is well represented at Aintree on Sunday, including with Ahoy Senor in the Grade 2 Old Roan Chase. I am working at Aintree and will therefore update the Diary in the early part of the week.