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Le Frimeur claims Grade One glory for Harry Derham at Punchestown

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Wed 29 Apr 2026

Le Frimeur maintained his unbeaten record in style as he powered home to lower the colours of the prolific Zanoosh in the Grade One Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Espresso Milan made the early running, but as they turned for home J J Slevin sent the Harry Derham-trained Le Frimeur (18-1) to the head of the field.

Sent off the 11-4 favourite, Zanoosh gave chase in her bid for a six-timer, but could not keep pace with the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned Le Frimeur, finishing six and a half lengths in arrears.

“It’s a cliche, but I genuinely dream about training Grade One winners,” said Derham.

“It’s absolutely unreal. Obviously it makes it an awful lot easier with very good horses.

“Simon actually grabbed me on the arm at this meeting last year and said he was going to send me this horse.

“To have the access to horses like this is something unbelievable.

“He got a little setback in the autumn and he’s just improved and improved all spring.

“We had no idea how good he was coming here and I’m still not sure we do to be honest. J J said he did plenty wrong in the race and he’s beaten a quality field well. It’s absolutely unreal.”

He added: “We obviously believed in the horse a lot or else we wouldn’t have brought him here. J J thought three miles was the right thing to do and it’s absolutely unreal.”

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