Cristal shines on chasing debut for Derham

Harry Derham is planning an immediate step up to Grade One level with Cristal d’Estruval after he maintained his unbeaten record with a foot-perfect display in the Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Graduation Chase at Carlisle.

Bought for £400,000 at the 2025 Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival sale after winning an Irish point-to-point, the five-year-old beat the high-class Baron Noir on his hurdling debut at Warwick before following up with a 38-demolition job at Carlisle last December.

Despite having been off the track since, Cristal d’Estruval was a 2-5 favourite to dispatch of just two rivals on his return to Cumbria and he could hardly have been more impressive, producing some prodigious leaps under Paul O’Brien and seeing off the 147-rated Be Aware by 12 lengths.

“He’s very exciting. I was absolutely devastated last season when he had to miss a bit of time, but he was a big horse and it probably saved him having a few hard races in the spring,” Derham told Racing TV.

“From the moment we bought him I thought ‘chaser’ and when we schooled him that sort of confirmed it. I brought him up here thinking he’d need the run and if he got beat by a more experienced one he could run in a beginners’ chase in a month’s time and that wouldn’t do him any harm at all.

“I don’t mean to sound cocky, but I’m not surprised to see him do what he’s done because he’s been impressive in what he’s shown me and I was just thrilled with how he jumped. He was in a lovely rhythm and enjoying himself. It was obviously hugely pleasing.”

Betway make Cristal d’Estruval a 20-1 shot for the Arkle Trophy and his Cheltenham credentials are likely to be tested on Tingle Creek day at Sandown next month.

Derham added: “He just has a high cruising speed I think. We didn’t force him, he just had his ears pricked and has that rhythm, doesn’t he?

“I think probably the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase (December 5) is next. I still have it in my mind that he’s not had a real race, as in he’s not been in amongst it, and I feel like he’s probably still got a lot to learn, but I think he has that level of ability.

“You’d have to say he’d probably be quite exciting to watch around Sandown. I’m not sure I’d enjoy it, but I think Paul riding him would!

“The key is that he’s OK. Obviously he missed a good chunk of last year, so as long as he’s all right and he comes forward as I anticipate, I think we’ll go to Sandown.”