Nicholls believes Winter role is made for Drama

Paul Nicholls is confident a last-minute change of plan will suit No Drama This End perfectly as he diverts to Sandown’s Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle on Friday.

The 14-times champion trainer had stated Newbury’s Challow Hurdle would be next for the exciting five-year-old, who earned rave reviews for his impressive Cheltenham hurdling debut.

However, after dazzling on the Ditcheat gallops last weekend, a rethink sees him head to Esher for their Grade Two prize over two and a half miles.

“When I was studying the entries on Saturday, there were only six entered and he had worked really well that morning, so I thought we will have a little look what’s in there and then decided to let him take his chance,” explained Nicholls.

“It’s a valuable prize, he’s very well and we’re going. He’s such a laidback horse it’s possible we could still go to the Challow, but we’ll take it one race at a time and see how he gets on Friday.”

No Drama This End’s chief rival could prove to be Carlisle winner Tormund Giantsbane, with trainer Dan Skelton seeing this as the ideal next step in the youngster’s career.

He said: “He’s a nice horse, a big horse, I think the track will really suit him as it’s not dissimilar to Carlisle – big, galloping, right-handed with a stiff uphill finish. When he won I just thought this was the obvious race for him.

“I don’t really have any negatives, but he’ll need to take a step forward and step up as it’s a bigger race.

“I’m a little surprised to see Paul run his as he said he was going straight to Newbury for the Challow and this isn’t Newbury!”

Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies send dual Uttoxeter winner Top Jimmy, with Anthony Honeyball fielding seven-length Fontwell winner Crackerjacque.

The field of five is completed by Olly Murphy’s The Blue Room, who made a winning start over timber when striking at Chepstow.

“He’s a nice horse who will make a gorgeous chaser next year,” said Murphy.

“I’m looking forward to stepping him up in trip and up in grade. Paul’s horse looked a monster at Cheltenham and could be tough to beat, but I’m looking forward to running him and he looks a very nice horse.”

There is also Grade Two chasing action on the card in the Betfair Esher Novices’ Chase, with Nicholls and Skelton locking horns again in what has turned out to be an Exeter rematch.

Skelton’s Doyen Quest ran out a 10-length winner over Nicholls’ Quebecois on that occasion but the latter is fancied to turn the tables this time with the benefit of a run.

“Dan’s horse had run two or three times before Exeter and was fit and well, whereas it was our first run and we’re bound to improve,” said Nicholls.

“Hopefully that will even things out a bit and I’m looking forward to running him.”

Gary and Josh Moore will saddle Salver, who also went to Exeter to begin his chasing career and had the misfortune of bumping into Lulamba.

Last year’s Triumph Hurdle third is now upped in distance in a race which also features Jamie Snowden’s Laurens Bay, a course winner in a valuable hurdle race here in the spring and then foot-perfect on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter.

“He was very good the first day over fences at Uttoxeter and this has always been the plan,” said Snowden.

“After Wendigo last week it would be nice to pick up another Grade Two novice chase winner and he’s in good form.”