No Drama This End is set to make his chasing debut in the Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase at Aintree on Saturday, with Paul Nicholls expected to give the horse his first run over fences in a Grade Two contest. It is a significant moment for a horse who ended last season with a strong staying-hurdle win and now begins the next chapter of his career.
The move to fences follows a campaign that began with victory in the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury in December. He was later sent off favourite for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, before rounding off the season with success in the Listed British EBF Gold Castle ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle at Perth over three miles.
Why Aintree matters
This is the stage where connections will want to find out just how high No Drama This End can climb over fences. Aintree offers a proper starting point, and the race is already set to ask a serious question of a horse whose staying power has been clear over hurdles.
Max McNeill, who owns the horse, has made no secret of how highly he rates him. He said that as long as Paul is happy with the ground they will take their chance in the Rising Stars, adding that they are leaning towards going. He also described the horse’s chasing career as his “day job” now, because that is what he is bred to do.
Paul Nicholls has options to work with
McNeill’s confidence does not stop there. He said he believes No Drama This End is the most exciting horse he has ever sent chasing, and went even further by saying that, on paper, he is the best chaser he has had. That is strong praise, but it reflects the sense that this horse could develop into a smart staying novice chaser if the transition goes smoothly.
There is also the question of what comes after Aintree. The likely future targets mentioned are Sandown Park and Kempton Park, so this debut is not just about Saturday’s race. It is the first step in mapping out where he fits among Paul Nicholls’ better novice chasers for the rest of the season.
What to expect on Saturday
The opposition includes Talk To The Man, Cristal d’Estruval and Crystal Island, so No Drama This End will not be asked to make his fence debut in isolation. But the central issue is still his own ability to jump fluently and settle into the rhythm required at two-and-a-half miles.
If he handles that test, there is every reason to think his connections will have a clearer idea of where his ceiling lies. For now, Aintree is the starting point, and Paul Nicholls appears ready to see whether a promising hurdler can become something even better over fences.
