Madame Luna makes perfect start to hurdling career for Harry Derham and Paul O'Brien

Harry Derham was keen to praise Madame Luna after she made the perfect start to life under rules in the 2m fillies' junior National Hunt hurdle. 

The three-year-old was last of the three runners and under strong pressure from Paul O'Brien turning into the penultimate bend but responded well to establish a clear lead going to the final flight. 

Her ten-length victory was all the more impressive considering she was not fully tuned up for the race and her trainer expects her to come forward considerably for the experience.

"It was good," Derham said. "It's hard to know what she achieved with all of them having not run before. I was pleased with her and you could see she was learning on the job. This is the first time her owners have sent me a horse, so thanks to them.

"It's such a difficult track for inexperienced horses. I haven't really galloped her, we've just done loads of jumping. She's lovely and straightforward and I'd like to think she can progress. She'll go to Ludlow on December 18 for another junior fillies' race."

Owen double

Fresh from a successful November meeting at Cheltenham, James Owen banged in a double courtesy of Laser Focus in the 2m7½f novice handicap hurdle and Secret Des Dieux in the 2m maiden hurdle.

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