'He'll be a proper chaser' - Court In The Act bolts up for Harry Derham as exciting future beckons

The smart Court In The Act returned to form with an eight-length victory in the 2m½f handicap hurdle but trainer Harry Derham warned he will be campaigned cautiously this season with a view to the future.

The five-year-old, who runs for the Heart Of The South syndicate, recorded a third win after finishing down the field in Sandown's £100,000 novice championship final on the last day of the season in April.

Derham will use this season to build him up for a novice chasing route the following campaign, when the trainer thinks he could develop into a quality performer.

"He's a progressive young horse," Derham said. "He didn't let us down at all last season and that was very straightforward and a pleasing start to his season.

"Last time he ran in a competitive race and he got beat but he's young and still quite immature so we wanted to get him back on track. There's going to be plenty of days when he's racing against tough opposition and all we're trying to do is get him in a good place so he's going to be a really nice horse to go chasing with next season.

"I'm not sure where we'll go next, he'll get a fair hike in the weights but we won't be wildly busy this season. We want to ensure he'll be a proper chaser for the future."

Off the mark

Roadlesstravelled drifted from odds-on to 5-1 for his rules debut in the 2m½f maiden hurdle but registered an impressive victory for Jonjo and AJ O'Neill.

The five-year-old, who fetched £215,000 after winning a Taylorstown point-to-point, stretched clear of Rumoursareflying to win by four and three-quarter lengths under Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

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