Le Frimeur (18/1) and J.J. Slevin gave Harry Derham his first Grade 1 victory as a trainer at Punchestown on Wednesday, with success in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle.
Unbeaten – and now a Grade 1 winner!
Le Frimeur gives trainer @Harry05Derham a landmark winner in the Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle at @punchestownrace 👏 pic.twitter.com/MkiggN0FvK
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2026
Carrying the double-green colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the French-bred son of Gemix got the better of favourite Zanoosh (11/4) and Brian Hayes by six-and-a-half lengths at the end of the two mile seven furlong and 190 yards race.
I Started A Joke was third for father and son combination Charles and Philip Byrnes, six lengths behind the runner-up.
"A dream realised."
Grade 1-winning trainer! 👏 @Harry05Derham @punchestownrace | @LydiaHislop pic.twitter.com/IGcnDPUYpb
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 29, 2026
Fourth place went to Fruit De Mer (8/1), runner-up in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on his previous outing, for Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe.
