Double boost for Harry Derham after trainer overcomes torrid month which saw his gallops washed away

If any trainer deserved a bit of luck it was flood-ravaged Harry Derham, whose Matwana was presented with the juvenile fillies' maiden hurdle to give him a first winner for three and a half weeks.

His 3-1 shot was handed the race when leader Belfrina, trained by David Pipe, fell at the last when looking sure to justify 4-9 favouritism.

Matwana was only Derham's fourth runner in the last fortnight, and the Lambourn trainer said: "We've had a pretty miserable time. We had 74mm of rain in 24 hours the week before the Coral Gold Cup and it completely ruined my gallop. 

"I rang all my owners and they were so supportive. They said this has happened, we appreciate you being up front, get on and fix it. And we have."

Derham had taken to X on the eve of racing to explain what had happened to his yard, thanking his parents for loaning him the money for a new gallop surface. 

"It's nice to be back on a racecourse and nice to have a gallop," he said. "Hopefully we can put all that behind us.

"I put the tweet out because I wanted to tell everyone what's happened, then I could just get on with doing my job and get the horses back on the track."

Matwana is the first horse to carry the colours of owner Ceri Fell, and her trainer said: "Even if David's horse stood up we were booked for second and I would have been thrilled with her. Obviously we had some fortune in winning, but after the month we've had I'll take a bit of good luck!"

Both Belfrina and jockey Jack Tudor appeared none the worse for their spill. Asked about the fall, Pipe said: "That's racing – they're fine and that's the main thing."

There was no luck needed as Jus De Citron later took the novice hurdle for Derham to complete his double.

"It's taken an absolute age to get him fit and he'll improve significantly for this," he said. "We won't go mad with him this season, but I'd love to get him qualified for the EBF Final at Sandown."

Hammond hunting for winners

A "great few days" continued for jockey Charlie Hammond, who took the £75,000 Yorkshire Silver Vase on La Renommee on his first ride since landing the Welsh Grand National, having gone back to his roots in between times.

Hammond rode the biggest winner of his career on Val Dancer at Chepstow on Friday, and said: "I don't drink so there wasn't too much of a wild celebration, but we did go out for some lovely food.

Charlie Hammond won the Coral Welsh Grand National on Val Dancer (right)Credit: Alan Crowhurst

"I actually went hunting yesterday as I wasn't riding and had a nice day out. Maybe I look more stylish here after a day's hunting!"

La Renommee was a 6-1 shot in a field of four for the Listed mares' chase, and Hammond said: "It's been a great few days. This mare wins over all sorts of trips. She's such a good jumper, she's so accurate and is a pleasure to ride."

Two more days for Bailey

Grand National, Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle-winning handler Kim Bailey sent out what may have been his final winner as an individual trainer when Hurlerontheditch took the novice handicap chase.

Bailey is about to be joined on the licence by long-time assistant Mat Nicholls, and said: "I've got two more days, tomorrow and Tuesday, but we've been together for 16 years so it doesn't make any difference.

"I've just got to try to find how I can get younger people to come into my ownership."

The Cheltenham yard's star chaser Chianti Classico suffered a career-threatening injury a fortnight ago, and Bailey said: "He will be going back to Ireland when he's allowed to, then we'll give him plenty of time and see how he comes along."

Read this next:

Harry Derham opens up on 'enormous blow' after tough period following gallop flood

Subscribe to Racing Post Members' Club Ultimate Monthly now and get access to award-winning racing journalism with 50% off your first three months. Patrick Mullins led the way when winning the Racing Writer of the Year award at the Horse Race Writers and Photography Derby Awards in London in December and you can read more exclusive content from the best journalists in racing by signing up to Members' Club today.

Available to new subscribers purchasing Members' Club Ultimate Monthly using code MEMBERS24. First three payments will be charged at £24.98, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter. To cancel please contact us at least seven days before subscription is due to renew.