‘Great he’s having his day in the sun’ – Minella Drama goes all out to record her biggest win in the Old Roan Chase

Minella’s drama got the recognition his talent deserved, doing everything under Brian Hughes to put coach Donald McCain back in the spotlight at Aintree.

Second in last year’s race when six fences were missed due to low sun, Minella Drama attacked the more traditional jumps test with gusto to move up one place.

The nine-year-old, who is owned by Green Day Racing, was six pounds off his mark 12 months ago to take a length and three-quarters from Hitman, with Ahoy Senior a promising third on his comeback.

Despite the obvious goal early in the season for the 3-1 winner, McCain showed that not everything has been smooth sailing in the build-up.

“He fully deserves his big day because he shows up and runs his race every time,” McCain said. “It’s the first time we’ve ridden him without a big lead outfit and on his day he’s a very useful horse.

“I could have cried last week as we had terrible weather and got flooded but we managed to get him to Haydock last weekend. I thought it was a week too fast, but credit to Adrian Lane, who rides him every day, as he told me to get on and run after him.”

McCain, a Grand National winner with Ballabriggs in 2011, also paid tribute to Hughes’ role in developing Minella Drama, who was rated No. 2 as a rookie.

“Brian made him, too,” the coach said. “He is far from an easy horse and he has a mind of his own. For some reason, when we turn right out of the yard to head south, it completely loses the plot, but when we go north, it’s fine.

“He always jumps right-handed and you’d think Ascot would suit him, but he lost his head there last year. I don’t know if it’s a climb to the stables or a trip.

“We’ve been waiting for that big day with him, so we probably ran with him too much and maybe we’ll regroup and take our time and not run with him now.”

Although it was McCain’s first success at Old Roane, Hughes was awarded the £80,000 Handicap for the third time after wins at Forest Bihan in 2019 and Riders Onthe Storm in 2022.

“I’ve come to terms with it,” he said. “The fences were missed last year and he just got nailed in the run-in. He has been our leading horse for several seasons. He’s been in that race and the Melling Chase, so it’s great that he’s getting his day in the sun.”

After the race was over, Ahoy Senor held on well to finish third, one place ahead of 2-1 favorite Stage Star, after returning to a track where he had won the first two grades.

Lucinda Russell’s team were delighted to be back and all roads lead to next month’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

“It’s the best race he’s had for the first time,” assistant trainer Peter Scudamore said. “He’s an incredible talent and I’m delighted. You want to win every race, but you have to do it. You have to be patient with him.

“He galloped all the way to the line and if he can do that from three or four at Haydock then he’s got a chance.

“If it be God’s will, we shall be able to reach Haydock; that was always the intention. I would like to give him the Gold Cup back, but he has to learn to compete like this.”

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