CRISTAL TO SPARKLE IN NOVICE HURDLE

CRISTAL D'ESTRUVAL can take the next step in his career in the pricedup.bet Novices' Hurdle at Carlisle tomorrow.

- BY MIROR REPORTER

Trained by Harry Derham, the four-year-old cost the princely sum of £400,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point in February.

There is always plenty of pressure when one so expensive makes their debut for new connections but Derham and his owners had little to worry about at Warwick last month.

It was a hot little race and Cristal D’Estruval was not even sent off favourite, that honour went to Alan King's Baron Noir based on the fact he had won a bumper at the Punchestown Festival, and there were also two other main contenders.