English/Ire
Minella Study enters Triumph picture with faultless performance
“I think he’s the real deal”
The Adam Nicol-trained Minella Study announced himself as a major player in this year's Triumph Hurdle when taking his record to three from three with a facile success in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Adam Nicol's three-year-old arrived looking to stretch his unbeaten record to three following commanding wins at Musselburgh and Wetherby but with the fellow unbeaten One Horse Town standing in his way, he was sent off a 5/1 chance in the hands of Grand National-winning rider Ryan Mania.
Both One Horse Town, who was always towards the fore throughout, and Minella Study looked to have it between them from some way out, but the writing was on the wall for backers of the odds-on favourite as Mania cruised past on his mount on the approach to the final flight.
A spring-heeled leap at the last ensured Minella Study had the race in safekeeping and with the minimum of fuss, he strode clear up the hill for a striking six-and-a-half length win from Winston Junior, who in turn, finished clear of One Horse Town back in third.
A return to the Cotswolds now looks on the agenda for the winner, who was introduced at 16/1 by Coral for the JCB Triumph Hurdle on the Friday of the Cheltenham Festival.
Nicol, who was having his first runner at the track, said: "We think a lot of this horse and he's probably one of the best horses I've ever sat on. I think he's the real deal – we've kept that quiet until now!
"I loved coming here as the underdog. It was all about the Harry Derham horse, the same as Wetherby when it was all about the James Owen horse.
"We'll enjoy today. We came down to see if he is good enough for Cheltenham. It's been a great prep, and we'll let the dust settle, but the long-term plan would be to come back in March. I might run him at Musselburgh on the 31st, as that is a nice gap and then on to Cheltenham.
"I thought he looked the winner before the last. He's still weak as a kitten and I think he'll be a better four-year-old."
Check out our FREE full form, ratings for meetings in nine countries each and every day.