Harry Derham targeting Elite Hurdle and Paddy Power Gold Cup as burgeoning trainer hopes to build on impressive start

Harry Derham had the best strike-rate of any jumps trainer in Britain with 100-plus runners last season in his first full campaign and is eyeing some early high-profile races for his stable stars.

Derham operated at 25 per cent (44-179) last term and has extended his capacity to 76 stables at his Boxford stable near Newbury.

Grade 2 novice chase winner Imagine, who was a €320,000 recruit and is being aimed at the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month, and Korkoran, a £240,000 buy after a point-to-point success who will go down the bumper route, are among the additions to Derham’s string.