Derryhassen Paddy
It was good to see Derryhassen Paddy run well again in the three-mile-one-furlong novices' chase at Cheltenham on Saturday. He was just hunted around out the back by Derek Fox early on, last of the six runners. He made his ground down the hill but he lost his footing a little bit on the crown of the home turn, which just halted his momentum. He did well to keep on as well as he did then over the last two fences to take third place behind a talented and progressive rival in Butch Cassidy, notwithstanding the fact that the winner won impressively, nor that Turndlightsdownlow departed at the last when still in front.
This was Derryhassen Paddy's first run since last November. Third in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2025 behind Jasmin De Vaux and The Big Westerner, he raced just once last season, he finished second in a three-runner beginners' chase at Ayr last November behind Sixmilebridge, who won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Chase in February. This was a nice start back for the son of Arctic Cosmos. He is seven now, but he has raced just five times under all codes, he is really lightly raced, and, a second-season novice, there could be much more to come from him now in good staying novice chases. The fact that he is proven at Cheltenham is obviously a nice asset to take into the season.
Cheltenham, 24th October 2026
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