OLBG-sponsored trainer Harry Derham has opened up about Jackie Hobbs’ impressive Cheltenham performance and confirmed the mare could make a swift return at Fairyhouse’s Easter Festival next month.

Speaking to OLBG brand ambassador Ella McNeill, Derham admitted Jackie Hobbs exceeded expectations in the Mares’ Chase. She finished strongly up the hill despite two miles looking on the sharp side for her.

Career Best Performance

“I said beforehand that if she ran a career best and things went right, she could finish fifth or sixth,” Derham explained. “But I was super proud of her run. Two miles is probably a bit too short for her, but I loved how she galloped up the hill. She stayed very well and acquitted herself brilliantly in a really good race.”

The trainer’s post-race analysis has sparked talk of a quick turnaround. Fairyhouse’s Irish Grand National meeting is now firmly on the radar if the mare comes out of Cheltenham in good order.

Irish Challenge on the Cards

Derham confirmed a decision would be made within the week. He sounded genuinely keen on the prospect. “She has come out of the race well. Over two and a half miles you would be confident that the extra trip would make her progress. She has kept improving all season and that Cheltenham run put her right in the mix.”

The step up in trip looks nothing but a positive. Jackie Hobbs won over two miles three furlongs at Warwick earlier this season, with Harry Skelton advising connections not to be afraid of going further. She’s also a three-mile point-to-point winner on soft ground, with Holloway Queen among those she beat that day.

“It would be a tough race taking on the Irish on their backyard,” Derham admitted, “but there are reasons to be optimistic she could run well.”

Ground conditions shouldn’t pose a problem either. Derham expects Fairyhouse to ride easier than Cheltenham, which he described as “fine and safe” without any concerns.

One Horse Town Comes Up Short

Not all the Cheltenham news was quite so positive. One Horse Town, another Derham runner at the Festival, simply wasn’t good enough against Grade 1 opposition. The trainer was admirably straightforward about it.

“He just wasn’t good enough, it’s as simple as that,” Derham said. “He has had a good season, but it was always likely we would get found out by bigger, stronger horses in the spring and that’s what happened.”

The gelding has enjoyed a busy campaign. Punchestown remains a possibility if he shows the right signs when he returns to work this week. Aintree is definitely off the table.

Teddy Blue’s Quirky Brilliance

Perhaps the most entertaining subject was Teddy Blue, whose recent Kempton victory left Derham going through “all sorts of emotions” as a spectator.

“You go through wondering what he is doing, thinking he is not in the mood, and then suddenly he is incredibly tough to win,” the trainer laughed. “I have sort of given up trying to explain him. He is just his own character.”

The quirky chaser clearly loves Kempton over fences. Derham reckons dry ground is crucial to his performance, which has prompted connections to consider the Topham Chase at Aintree, where Teddy Blue holds an entry.

“I am not going to say we know it will suit him because we do not really know, but it would not surprise me if it did,” Derham said. “He is quite an efficient jumper, which I think you need that style right now. The modern type for those races is something like Tiger Roll, horses that brush through the top rather than being too careful.”

It’s an intriguing comparison. If Teddy Blue can channel even a fraction of Tiger Roll’s Aintree magic, punters could be in for another entertaining ride.

What the team thinks

Sheena McAllister: Good to see OLBG maintaining their sponsorship presence in racing. From a regulatory perspective, these brand ambassador partnerships with figures like Ella McNeill demonstrate how operators can build credible content relationships while staying compliant with advertising restrictions.

Philippa Ashworth: Agreed, and it’s smart positioning from OLBG. Horse racing content remains one of the few advertising safe harbors under current regulations, so we’re seeing operators double down on racing partnerships as other channels become restricted. This kind of editorial access to trainers builds genuine value beyond traditional sponsorship.

Sheena McAllister: Precisely. The focus on authentic sporting content rather than promotional messaging aligns with where the UKGC wants the industry to move. It’s about adding value to the conversation around the sport itself, which benefits everyone including the racing industry.