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Derryhassen Paddy has chance to showcase his ability at Cheltenham

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Fri 23 Oct 2026

Lucinda Russell has never made any secret of how highly she rates Derryhassen Paddy and, after an injury-plagued 18 months, he has the chance to justify that faith at Cheltenham on Saturday

Third in the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle behind Jasmin De Vaux at the 2025 Festival, the seven-year-old has managed just one run since, behind the talented Sixmilebridge over an inadequate distance at Ayr.

Unfortunately for Russell and co-trainer Michael Scudamore, a stress fracture on a cannon bone necessitated an operation and further rest.

“He had just the one run last year and we ended up going to Ayr over an inadequate trip in November where he was beaten by a real decent horse of Fergal’s,” said Russell’s partner, Peter Scudamore.

“We were slightly disappointed at the time, but we didn’t realise how good a horse Fergal’s was.

“He came back from Ayr with a stress fracture and had a screw put into his cannon bone. He came back in spring, but we didn’t run him because it got too quick and here he is now.

“We do think an awful lot of him. It is a big ask of him and he lacks racing experience, but we have to crack on and this is definitely a starting point for the season given he needs soft ground.”

In addition to Derryhassen Paddy, the William Hill Price Boosts “Chasing Excellence” Novices’ Chase has attracted plenty of other promising types, none more so than Henry De Bromhead’s Butch Cassidy.

“Butch Cassidy should run well and we feel he is worth a step up to this sort of company,” said De Bromhead. “A lot of his form last winter was similar to this level. There is a lot of rain forecast, but I think hopefully it will suit him and hopefully he’ll run well.”

Anthony Honeyball will be hopeful Catchintsavo can progress from his novice hurdling efforts sent over fences given a fine second to Joseph O’Brien’s Zeus Power in the three-mile Grade One at Aintree in April.

It may be a slight concern that in an otherwise consistent season the only time Catchintsavo finished out of the frame was at this meeting when a distant 10th behind Conman John.

Joe Tizzard may have his stable in red-hot form, firing in a four timer at Ffos Las on Thursday, but he warned that Kasino Des Mottes may be running for place prize-money at best, admitting there would “probably be a couple better than him”.

Turndlightsdownlow and Follow Your Luck, for Martin Keighley and Patrick Neville respectively, complete the field.

Tizzard could have a better chance in the opening William Hill Epic Boosts Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, where a horse the trainer believes is well-handicapped lurks in the shape of Lisbane Park.

“He has some solid form in hurdles last year and I think he is a reasonably well-handicapped horse,” said Tizzard. “He has schooled really well at home and if he gets into a nice rhythm I expect him to run well.”

De Bromhead brings Rockonliam over from his Co. Waterford base looking to land a four-timer.

“We are dropping back to two and a half for a suitable race and we will see how he gets on,” said De Bromhead. “He saw out the three miles at Wexford recently really well so we have that option again to step up again (in future).”

Spectacularsunrise brings winning form from his debut over the bigger obstacles having landed a novice handicap chase at Perth last month for training duo Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies.

“He schooled nicely on Monday and his work has been good since and this has always been the plan since Perth,” said the younger Twiston-Davies.

Thoughts of the Festival are never too far from people’s minds at Prestbury Park and the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle delivers a chance for the first four to qualify for the final of the series back here in March.

James Owen believes his Idaho Fire could spark dreams of a return to jump racing’s showpiece meeting following a decent run to win at Uttoxeter.

“He has done nothing wrong since joining us and we sat and waited for this race after winning at Uttoxeter. He has gone up a little bit in the handicap in his stable as the form of that race has worked out well, but he will stay very well,” said Owen.

“He is a chaser in the making, but we do think he has got a nice little bit in hand and this has been the plan for a while so fingers crossed it works out.

“For him to qualify he is going to have to go and win this on Saturday as he is quite low down the handicap in a Pertemps.”

Dave Nevison's Friday tips: "He will have been primed for this"

Friday tips: Katie Midwinter has five bets at four meetings

Dan Skelton column: inside track on Friday's runners at Cheltenham

The Data Detective: tips for Cheltenham on Friday

Dave Nevison's Thursday tips: "He could be very well treated"

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