‘He’s got a bit of magic about him’ – can No Drama This End deliver where other Paul Nicholls stars have failed in the Turners?
Click here to add us to your Google preferred sources or find out more here
Five future Grade 1 winners over fences and the winner of a Champion Hurdle have lined up in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle for trainer Paul Nicholls. All six were beaten.
Silverburn, Breedsbreeze, Rock On Ruby, Bravemansgame and Stage Star were all shorter than 10-1 when coming up short in this race for Nicholls, as was Hermes Allen.
There was also defeat for the greatest of all the trainer’s runners in this contest, Denman, who lost his unbeaten record to Nicanor at the Cheltenham Festival 20 years ago. So, what is it about No Drama This End which means he can triumph where others have failed?
His co-owner, Max McNeill, has labelled him potentially the best horse he has owned – and his horses have won multiple Grade 1s – while Nicholls himself has made comparisons with his great horses when discussing No Drama This End previously.
He has won all three starts this season, including the Challow Hurdle that was won by The New Lion before he won this race last year, and Nicholls has taken dead aim at this race since his horse crossed the line at Newbury.
Nicholls said: “He just keeps winning and with a horse like that you don’t know where it’ll end.
“Denman was Denman when he was beaten and it just didn’t go our way that day, and that can happen to any horse. Bravemansgame was a bit of a weak finisher and Hermes Allen probably wasn’t good enough at the time, but those beaten horses turned out to be champions.
“We’ve had some lovely horses run in the race who went on to show what they could really do when they went over fences, and I think he’s going to be a cracking three-mile chaser. I just think he’s got a bit of magic about him, which I hope will help in this race.”
No Drama This End has established himself as the best of the British contenders for the race, according to Racing Post tipster Robbie Wilders, but he will face a sterner test of his talents on Wednesday.
Wilders said: “He’s the best British novice for now at least, but I don’t see how anyone can be bullish about him since it’s impossible to gauge how he measures up against a stacked Irish challenge. The only worthwhile Irish-trained horse he’s defeated over hurdles is Heads Up, who wasn’t deemed good enough to contest a festival novice.
“Twenty-two runners were declared – that’s essentially half the 45 horses who contested the previous five runnings and many improvers are waiting in the wings. Given this field’s make-up, I’d look for something at a bigger price.”
What they say
Nicky Henderson, trainer of Act Of Innocence
He’s done nothing wrong. He’ll stay the trip, he jumps well and he’ll like the ground. I’m very happy with him.
Gordon Elliott, trainer of Ballyfad, Riskaway and Skylight Hustle
It wasn’t an easy choice for Jack [Kennedy]. In fact, I would say it was probably one of his trickiest decisions of the week. He’s gone for Ballyfad who keeps on improving, has solid form and should relish this step up in trip. Skylight Hustle has done nothing wrong and Jack didn’t think he was completely done with against Talk The Talk at Leopardstown over Christmas. He was probably a fortunate winner there but he still hit the line hard and I think this trip will suit. We kept him fresh for this and didn’t run him after Christmas. His work has always been really good and still is.
Dan Skelton, trainer of Bossman Jack and Soldier Reeves
Bossman Jack feels like a big improver and we like what we see, so we’re happy to take our chance. Soldier Reeves is a big price but I think his run style, dropped in, should suit this race and he has an each-way chance.
Came From Nowhere: interesting contender switching back to novice companyCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)
Jeremy Scott, trainer of Came From Nowhere
Ideally we’d have run him in a handicap because I think he’s on a good mark for that, but it didn’t quite work out. I’d like to think he’s been underestimated for this race.
Chris Gordon, trainer of Fortune Timmy
The owner was keen to come to Cheltenham with him and he has got to improve plenty on his form, but I don’t think he will disgrace himself in this race.
Declan Queally, trainer of I’ll Sort That
Everything has gone really smoothly since Naas. He had a nice break afterwards and he’s had a good solid preparation. I think the big field will suit him. It’s going to be a cavalry charge, a cut-throat type race. It definitely won’t be tactical. It will be end-to-end. I imagine there will be a lot drop-offs at the four and three furlong markers and hopefully we’re not one of them. We considered the Albert Bartlett, but we’ve had a great year with the horse and want to treat him fairly and we thought this would be an easier race on him. I think the ground and trip will be fine.
Shuttle Diplomacy: live outsider for Tom CooperCredit: Patrick McCann
Tom Cooper, trainer of Shuttle Diplomacy
He knows where he is. He had a solid run in last year’s bumper and has had a better preparation this year. He beat El Cairos and No Drama This End last year, and they’re towards the top of the market for their races. He has plenty of pace and will stay as well. The big field should be no problem. For some reason, the tongue-tie has turned him inside out in his hurdle runs. We’re looking forward to it.
Ben Pauling, trainer of Taurus Bay
He’s a lovely horse, he’s going to be exceptionally smart over a fence next season. He seems to have come alive in the last two weeks and this will be great experience for him. I would hope he could finish in the first half. If he can do any better, I’d be delighted.
Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Walks In June
I think he can absolutely take this step up in grade. He’s a nice horse. He had one disappointing run, but we found a reason for that and I thought he was very good at Leopardstown the last day. We’re very happy with him.
Read more on day two at the Cheltenham Festival . . .
2.00 Cheltenham: Can Final Demand justify the hype and rebound from his poor showing at the DRF? Romeo Coolio heads Brown Advisory opposition
4.00 Cheltenham: He’s upset Jonbon, but can he conquer Majborough? Dan Skelton hoping freshness can be the key for L’Eau Du Sud in Champion Chase
All you need to know for the three handicaps on day two of the Cheltenham Festival – including key quotes from connections
5.20 Cheltenham: Patrick Mullins is on the Champion Bumper favourite – but has he picked right?
Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
