Derham sets sights on Fred Winter prize with Viyanni

Harry Derham sees Viyanni as the perfect horse to take his chance in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival.

The four-year-old won once in four attempts for Johnny Murtagh on the Flat before switching codes and joining Derham at Upper Farm Stables.

He won on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen but then ran into Nicky Henderson’s smart Lulamba – currently market leader for the Triumph Hurdle – and found him just too good as he finished third at Ascot.

He then went on the win at Ludlow and although he holds an entry in the Triumph Hurdle, it is the Fred Winter where the son of Almanzor will take his chance at Prestbury Park.

Derham said: “He’ll go straight to Cheltenham and he’s going to run in the Fred Winter.

“He came through Ludlow well, very pleased with him. His form probably in defeat reads the best when he came third to Lulamba.

“He’s a progressive horse. I think a race like the Fred Winter won’t really bother him in the sense that he’s quite robust. You can’t have a shy horse going into the Fred Winter and he’s quite robust and it’s not going to worry him.

“I think he’s quite a suitable type for it and I’m looking forward to him running there.”

He added: “There’s just no point (in facing Lulamba again). Ratings-wise we’re 125, Lulamba kicked us out of the way last time.

“I was very, very pleased with my run at Ascot, but we’re not going to beat him and the Fred Winter I think for us is a really good option and I think he’ll go there with a leading chance.”