Minella Study remains unbeaten in Cheltenham romp

Adam Nicol’s Minella Study maintained his unbeaten record in emphatic style in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Victories at Musselburgh and Wetherby had marked him out as an above-average early juvenile, but this performance took him to another level.

Towards the head of affairs with Harry Derham’s prolific winner One Horse Town, the two turned into the straight with it seemingly between them.

Grand National winner Ryan Mania knew what he had underneath him, though, and began to forge clear approaching the last.

He was spring-heeled at it and the 5-1 chance pulled six-and-a-half lengths clear of Winston Junior with the odds-on favourite One Horse Town back in third.

The winner was given a 16-1 quote for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival by Coral, with his handler hopeful of a return to Prestbury Park in March.

Nicol said: “He works very well this horse. I gave him a blow earlier in the week and he showed great speed. The thing about this horse is he doesn’t know he’s a racehorse yet.

“He’s going from strength to strength, he has speed and he travels.

“I have some fantastic owners and the plan is to let the dust settle, then probably go to Musselburgh on January 31 (on Cheltenham Trials day) where he will hopefully chase a few off before heading for the Triumph.”

Winning rider Mania, added: “He took me through the race at Wetherby well last time but not like he did today, he felt like a different animal.

“I still don’t think we know how good he is, he’s so settled and relaxed.

“I was told not to get to the front too soon but I couldn’t help it! We came here to find out how good he is and I still don’t think we know.”