By Peter Moore at Newbury Monday 29th December 2025
Paul Nicholls continued dominance of the Challow was maintained after odds on shot No Drama This End won this year’s renewal of the race under Harry Cobden, to give Nicholls his fifth win in the Grade 1 race in the last six years and record -extending seventh victory in the race.
The 14-time champion trainer first won the race in 2003 with Cornish Rebel and has also struck in Newbury’s Grade 1 with Denman (2006), Bravemansgame (2020), Stage Star (2021), Hermes Allen (2022) and Captain Teague (2023).
Already a two-time Grade 2 winner this season after success at both Cheltenham and Sandown, the five-year-old brought up his hat trick by one and a quarter lengths from Klimt Madrik.
Nicholls said: “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.”
After a barren few weeks, the Nicholls yard are beginning to hit their straps with nine winners from the last 30 runners.
The same combination of Nicholls and Cobden teamed up earlier in the day when Minella Yoga took the introductory hurdle race over 2m 1/2f . Receiving 20lb from the odds on shot Act Of Innocence, the youngest horse in the race age three and making his British hurdles debut, matched the Nicky Henderson trained five-year-old before staying on well and leading close home to win by three quarters of a length.
After the race Nicholls described Minella Yoga as “one of the best youngsters” in his yard. Purchased for £360,000, the three-year-old was making his first start for the yard and took full advantage of a hefty weight-for-age allowance.
Gary Moore’s opinion that Old Cowboy would be better suited to a fence proved to be true after he registered an impressive first victory this afternoon.
A 17-length third on his debut over fences at Warwick this month, the five-year-old produced a dominant display to win the 2m½f handicap chase by four lengths.
Moore said: “He’s a great operator over a fence and he’s a nice horse. From day one he’s always been good, and when I saw him school for the first time, it took my breath away with how well he jumped.”
Kim Bailey was left pleasantly surprised after White Noise showcased her talent over hurdles when completing a hat-trick under Tom Bellamy.
Bailey,was under the impression that the 2m½f handicap hurdle winner would fare better over a fence.
He said: “We were slightly concerned with the drying ground, but Tom’s always said that two miles round here would suit her. He’ll claim it was his idea, and I’m not going to complain about that.
“She’s a nice mare and it’s brilliant. We bought her to be a chaser, not to win a hurdle race, so she’s done an awful lot for what we expected her to do.”
The all-conquering Chris Gordon yard made it four winners in the past ten days when Andashan, stayed on well to land the 2m 4 1/2f handicap hurdle.
Gordon, said: “He’s very tough and hardy, and we might even look at the Martin Pipe with him. He’s still a young horse, so hopefully he’ll progress.”
Course specialist King’s Threshold maintained his strong record at the track by winning the 3m2f Mandarin Handicap Chase for Emma Lavelle, and give Ben Jones another winner over the festival period.