No Drama This End lived up to his increasingly lofty reputation with an easy win in the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury.
The Paul Nicholls-trained gray left the 4-9 favorite under Harry Cobden when he came into the first grade with an unblemished record of two runs over hurdles and two smart grade two wins.
He ran prominently throughout the race and was still firmly on the bridle at the business end of the race, victory being easily achieved from then on as he defeated Klimt Madrik by a length and a quarter.
The exciting five-year-old was made 7-2 by BetVictor for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Ditcheat handler suggested this would be his most likely next start after confirming he would head straight to Prestbury Park in March.
Nicholls said: “He learned a lot by doing that from the front and not the other way around. I told Harry he was riding him as the best horse in the race and that was fantastic.
“He’s a real character and he’s starting to wake up and realize what a big boy he is. When I saw him in the parade ring he was as sharp as I’ve seen him for a long time and I just love the way Harry gave him a little punch after the last one and he just took off.
“He’s obviously very special and to support it at three weeks and then another three weeks hasn’t been ideal so it wasn’t easy to get him ready for today. There was one occasion last week where we weren’t going to run today and instead go to Cheltenham on Trials Day.”
He continued: “He just came over this week and I wanted to give him some time off between now and the Cheltenham Festival, so it worked out beautifully and we’re heading there straight away.
“We will discuss all options and he will get participation in both the Turners and the Albert Bartlett and I would say he has just shown there how effective he is on good ground and how effective he is on the trip in between.
“I would say this would be his last run over hurdles and God willing, if all goes to plan he will go hunting, jumping fences is his job and we always say what he achieves over hurdles is a bonus and with him it is true.”
Nicholls has already named one of his former Challow winners, the imperious Gold Cup winner Denman, following No Drama This End’s previous wins, and was once again drawn into a comparison of his latest starlet and some blockbuster names from the past.
He added: “You can ask me how he compares to my other Challow winners and the likes of Bravemansgame, Denman and all the others. He compares favorably with them all. If you think three runs over fences and he’s won two Grade Twos and a Grade One and none of them have achieved that.”
“I’m not saying he’s Denman now, but in 10 years he might be. What I’ve said before is that if I had one who could be Denman in time if we’re lucky, he could be and right now he’s ticking a lot of boxes. He’s exciting, very exciting.”
“Years ago when I had all the good players, one would win every Saturday, so it didn’t matter how bad the rest were, they’ll cover you and what matters is having such good players in your team.
“I think I can get him better than this and the preparation wasn’t ideal. But I can now give him enough time and a good break, which I haven’t been able to do.
“Sandown was a plodder and he knew he’d had a race and with this in mind I just couldn’t let him down. A little more time will help now and we’re really happy to have him.”
“It’s a great result for the McNeills and the Barbers and Paul Barber will absolutely love it now, it’s his type of horse. It’s all worked out perfectly and it’s great to see two great families enjoying this together.”
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