Local trainer Harry Derham "gutted" as stable star ruled out of Cheltenham Festival
Local trainer Harry Derham has admitted he is “gutted” with one of his big fancies for the Cheltenham Festival ruled out of the showpiece meeting next week.
Viyanni struck at odds of 2-7 in a two-mile juvenile hurdle at Ludlow last month to record a second win in three starts for Derham and has only been beaten by fellow Lambourn trainer Nicky Henderson’s star Lulamba, second favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival.
After winning at Ludlow, Derham identified the Fred Winter - the card closer on day one of the Festival - as a potential option for Viyanni but the trainer revealed on Sunday that was no longer going to be the case. Viyanni was a 14/1 chance to land the Fred Winter.
Speaking to Racing TV, who offer the latest Cheltenham free bets offers ahead of the Festival, Derham said: “That was a big blow, I was really sweet on him for the Fred Winter at Cheltenham.
“He’s missing out and I am a bit gutted about that, the only two horses to beat him over jumps were Lulamba and Palladium, but that’s life.”
Derham does have another runner entered in the Fred Winter with Turn And Finish and could field up to seven runners at the Festival this year.
Stable stars Queen’s Gamble and Brentford Hope hold entries in the Mares’ Hurdle and Champion Hurdle respectively, while the former also has an entry in the Coral Cup.
Mossy Fen Road is another Derham runner with an entry, potentially heading for the Champion Bumper, while Lario holds an entry in the County Hurdle and finally, Jus De Citron could pitch up in the Albert Bartlett.
Fred Winter odds (via horse racing betting)
Stencil 5/1
Total Look 6/1
Willy De houelle 7/1
Naturally Nimble, Murcia, Lady Vega Allen 8/1
Beyond Your Dreams 10/1
Puturhandstogether 12/1
Wendrock, Sonny Bill, Liam Swagger, Hot Fuss 14/1
16/1 bar