No Drama tilts at Sandown victory

ALL eyes will be on No Drama This End as he bids for a second Grade Two victory in the Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.

- ALAN CROWHURST/ GETTY IMAGES

Joyeuse (green/gold) clear of the last to win The William Hill Hurdle at Newbury in February. Joyeuse is looking to get back on track at Exeter today

(ALAN CROWHURST/ GETTY IMAGES)

Trainer Paul Nicholls and part-owner Max McNeill have made no secret of the regard in which they hold the five-year-old, who was a £160,000 purchase in March 2024 after winning a point-to-point by 23 lengths the previous month.

No Drama This End won one of his two bumper starts, coming unstuck in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, but there could be no arguing with the promise of his initial hurdles spin as he delivered a three-length win back at Cheltenham in what appeared a pretty strong event.