No Drama This End Steps Up in Style with Challow Triumph

David Cummings / 5:24 AM GMT • 30th December, 2025

5 minutes

Challow Novices’ Hurdle success at Newbury marks No Drama This End down as a leading Festival contender after a professional front-running display.

No Drama This End underlined his status as one of Britain’s most exciting novice hurdlers by securing a commanding Grade 1 success in the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury, extending Paul Nicholls’ extraordinary record in the race and placing the progressive grey firmly on course for a major spring campaign.

Already twice successful at Grade 2 level this season, No Drama This End made the leap into top company with a performance that was as professional as it was efficient. With no obvious pace angle in the field, Harry Cobden was content to allow his mount to stride on early, dictating a steady rhythm and meeting his hurdles with accuracy throughout.

Kalkbrenner remained close for much of the contest but began to weaken turning for home, allowing Klimt Madrik to emerge as the main threat. However, No Drama This End always appeared in control, producing a neat jump at the last and finding enough on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter, with Tiptoptim narrowly denied second.

For Nicholls, the victory marked a record-extending seventh success in the Challow, adding No Drama This End to a roll of honour that includes Cornish Rebel, Denman, Bravemansgame, Stage Star, Hermes Allen and Captain Teague. The trainer was quick to place the latest winner firmly among his best.

"He’s right up there with other Challow winners. He’s had three runs over hurdles, and he’s won two Grade 2s and a Grade 1, and none of them achieved that.I’m not saying he’s Denman, but in ten years I might. If I had one that might be like him, if we’re lucky, then he could be. He’s got it all, and he’s exciting. I told Harry [Cobden] to ride him like the best horse in the race, and that was fantastic. He’s very special."

Nicholls was equally pleased with the adaptability shown by his charge, particularly given the demands of a quick turnaround between runs.

"That's very, very satisfying. Different tactics today, we had to do something different and Harry gave him a fantastic ride from the front.I just love the way he goes about his jumping and the way he gallops. Three runs and with just a three week gap (between the last two) is not ideal, but we can give him a nice break now until Cheltenham and freshen him up.I know I can get him a bit better than today, so I'm thrilled for everybody. He's a very smart horse, he's as good as any of them (previous Challow winners), you've had Gold Cup winners come out of the race and King George winners come out of the race. The size and scope of the horse... it's very exciting."

Bookmakers reacted swiftly, installing No Drama This End as a leading fancy for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, with Nicholls confirming that the Cheltenham Festival is now firmly on the agenda.

"We’ll go straight to the festival. He’s shown he’s effective on good ground over two and a half miles, but we’ll cover both options.To back him up again, three weeks after another, has not been ideal. It’s not been easy to get him right for today, but I can give him a break now and get him better."

Cobden echoed the sentiment, suggesting the race shape at Cheltenham would suit perfectly.

"A fast-run two and a half mile novice (at the Cheltenham Festival) would really suit him.This has been a great race for us."

The jockey also dedicated the success to a much-respected former owner.

"I just want to dedicate this win to a great friend of everyone in Ditcheat, Geoffrey Brown, who actually owned the horse before he was sold to the Barbers. He's not very well. He's not here today but this is for him, he deserves a lot of support and he's been a great friend to so many of us."

Reflecting on the race tactics, Cobden admitted conditions were not ideal but praised the horse’s attitude.

"I was in front as nobody wanted to make the running, and he wasn't helping me on the way around. I was just squeezing him down to a few hurdles, but I loved the way that today wasn't run to suit but he was still good enough to win. He's a lovely horse."

For owner Max McNeill, who shares the horse with Chris and Giles Barber, the victory represented a long-awaited return to the top level.

"I was asked to go in halves on him and, for once, I got the decision right.We have a few horses, and you dream of one this good. I love the game, but to have one that good is very special. I've never been as nervous before a race, but that’s because he’s got so much potential. You try not to talk about it because he’s got to do it on the track. We're going to go mad tonight."

Looking ahead to March, McNeill made clear he is relishing the prospect of taking on the best.

"People have said he’s not beaten much, but we’ve beaten everything this side of the Irish Sea. There are obviously a few good ones over there, but I’m not scared of anyone. Bring them over! This horse is special.If he didn’t win today, you could say it was something to do with the ground, but these good horses can go on all sorts. I think he’s silenced a few people, so bring it on for the festival!"

With a flawless Challow performance now on the record and clear scope for further improvement, No Drama This End heads towards Cheltenham as one of the most compelling novice hurdlers trained in Britain this season.