Harry Derham Cheltenham Festival preparations are, by his own admission, still a work in progress — but the young trainer heads to Cheltenham Festival with quiet optimism and a team he believes can do him proud at jump racing’s grandest arena.

Previously assistant to champion trainer Paul Nicholls, Derham only set up on his own in late 2022. Three seasons into his training career, he is now preparing to saddle his first serious runners at the meeting often described as the Olympics of National Hunt racing.

“I’m obviously learning about Cheltenham preparation,” Derham said after overseeing morning work at Kempton Park. “But the horses have been running really well all season.

“I’m very aware that I’m going there with outside chances, but when you’re starting out you still want to be there competing. I’m looking forward to it. To have a nice team of horses going there, I’m pleased with that.”

Four members of his Festival squad — Escapeandevade, Jackie Hobbs, Dargiannini and Mossy Fen Road — stretched their legs in routine gallops, each with a clear target in mind.

Harry Derham Cheltenham Festival Team: Leading Hopes Assessed

Mossy Fen Road

Target: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Mossy Fen Road has long been pencilled in for the Supreme, the traditional curtain-raiser of the week. His recent defeat at Musselburgh did little to dent Derham’s belief, though the trainer admitted he may have overthought matters.

“There’s no point making excuses — he got beat at Musselburgh. Maybe I was trying to get too clever running him,” he said. “But I wanted three runs into him and we’ve done that now.”

Derham has viewed him as his leading novice throughout the campaign. “He’s been my best novice all season. You run your best novice in that race — that’s what I’m doing.

“It’s a very competitive Supreme, as it always is. If he runs like he did at Cheltenham earlier in the season, he’s a lively outsider. Today’s gallop will just put him spot on. We’ll keep him fresh from here.”

Jackie Hobbs

Target: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

Jackie Hobbs heads for the mares’ novice contest, though Derham acknowledges she may need a career-best effort.

“On ratings she’s probably a little bit below what’s normally required,” he admitted. “Usually a 140-rated mare wins it, so she has a bit to find — but she’s a good mare.”

Her work at Kempton was deliberately restrained. “I didn’t want her having a strong workout. She was just here for the day out. She can get quite busy, so we kept it straightforward. Harry Cobden was delighted with her.

“If they go hard and it turns into a proper staying race, which it often does, she’ll have a chance.”

One Horse Town

Target: Triumph Hurdle

The juvenile One Horse Town bypassed the Kempton gallops but remains on course for the Triumph.

“He deserves to run in it,” Derham said. “We know he’s unlikely to win it — that’s why we ran him in the Adonis to pick up more prize money — but he’s been brilliant for us.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he ran a very competitive race and finished fourth or fifth. He’s tough and genuine. He deserves his place.”

Dargiannini

Target: County Handicap Hurdle

Veteran Dargiannini is being aimed at the County Handicap Hurdle, provided he makes the final cut.

“He’s been a fabulous old horse for us,” said Derham. “His owners have always wanted to see him run at The Festival at some stage, so we’ve kept him fresh with this in mind.”

Escapeandevade

Target: Grand Annual Challenge Cup

Escapeandevade will take his chance in the Grand Annual, a race that rewards bold jumping and tactical speed.

“He’s tough and genuine,” Derham noted. “He’s improved a stone since we’ve had him this season. If he gets into a rhythm down the straight and lands running, he could easily outrun expectations.”

Measured Ambition at the Big Stage

The scale of the task facing any young trainer at Cheltenham is immense, but Derham appears realistic rather than overawed. His team may not feature headline favourites, yet each horse arrives with a defined plan and, crucially, sound preparation.

For a trainer still shaping his identity, the Harry Derham Cheltenham Festival challenge represents another step forward — not just in pursuit of a first winner at the meeting, but in building experience at the sport’s most exacting examination.

Whether or not that breakthrough comes this year, Derham’s steady, thoughtful approach suggests it is only a matter of time before his Festival record moves from promising participant to winner.