No Drama This End back to winning ways

It has been a relatively quiet few days on the track, although it was good to see No Drama This End back to winning ways in the Listed novice hurdle at Perth on Wednesday. Paul Nicholls' charge had failed to get involved in the Turners Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March being slowly away and then finding the ground too lively. Ruled out of the Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree having been found to have suffered a nose bleed on the morning of the race earlier this month, he tackled three miles for the first time at the Scottish venue. The grey had defeated old rival Tormund Giantsbane by a dozen lengths in a Grade 2 novice at Sandown in December but only three and a half lengths separated the pair here. Harry Cobden was forced to get after his mount in the homestraight before staying on dourly after the last. While he wasn't in the same form as earlier in the campaign, it was mission accomplished and the grey will now go on his summer holiday before being prepared for his chasing career in the Autumn. 

In other news, impressive Newbury scorer Water To Wine is expected to be supplemented for the Epsom Derby despite his trainer John Gosden virtually ruling it out immediately after his win at the Berkshire track last weekend. Initially, the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot was mooted as his main summer target but connections have evidently had a rethink. His owner breeder George Strawbridge was also responsible for Presenting who was third in the 1995 Epsom Derby behind Lammtarra.

There is some tremendous action at Sandown on Friday with a number of the Top 40 Prospects on parade, followed by another couple at Haydock Park on Saturday. I am very much looking forward to the racing over the next few days, especially at the Esher venue. I suggest keeping on an eye out for the penultimate horse featured on page 133 of AOTF - he runs on Thursday and it will be disappointing if he doesn't go close.

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