'It’s great he gets his day in the sun' - Minella Drama makes all to record his biggest win in Old Roan Chase

Minella Drama got the recognition his talent deserves when making all under Brian Hughes to put trainer Donald McCain back in the Aintree limelight.

Second in the race last year when six fences were omitted due to the low sun, Minella Drama attacked the more traditional jumping test with gusto to go one place better.

The Green Day Racing-owned nine-year-old raced off a 6lb lower mark than 12 months ago and scored by a length and three-quarters from Hitman, with Ahoy Senor a promising third on his return.

Although this was an obvious early-season target for the 3-1 winner, McCain revealed not everything had gone smoothly in the build-up.

"He thoroughly deserves his big day as he turns up every time and runs his race," said McCain. "It's the first time we've saddled him up without big lead clothes and on his day, he's a very useful horse.

"I could have cried last week as we had awful weather and were flooded, but we managed to get him away to Haydock last weekend. I thought this was a week too soon but credit to Adrian Lane, who rides him every day, as he told me to get on and run him."

McCain, a Grand National winner here with Ballabriggs in 2011, also paid tribute to the role Hughes has played in the development of Minella Drama, who won a Grade 2 as a novice chaser. 

"Brian has also been the making of him," the trainer said. "He's far from an easy horse and he has his own mind. For whatever reason, when we turn right out of the yard to head south he loses the plot completely, but when we go north he's okay.

"He always goes right-handed jumping and you'd think Ascot would suit him, but he lost his head down there last year. Whether it's the walk-up to the stable yard or the travelling, I don't know.

"We were chasing that big day with him, so we've probably run him too much and maybe we'll regroup and take our time and not run him too much now."

Donald McCain: trainer of Minella DramaCredit: Edward Whitaker

Although it was a first Old Roan success for McCain, Hughes was landing the £80,000 handicap for the third time after victories on Forest Bihan in 2019 and Riders Onthe Storm in 2022.

"I'm made up with that," he said. "Last year the fences were omitted and he just got nailed up the run-in. He's been our flagship horse for a few seasons now. He's been placed in this race and a Melling Chase, so it’s great he gets his day in the sun."

Ahoy Senor stayed on well once the race was over to finish third, one place in front of 2-1 favourite Stage Star, on his return to a track where he has won two Grade 1s.

The stewards held an inquiry into the running and riding of Ahoy Senor at which Lucinda Russell said she was satisfied with Derek Fox's ride and that it accorded with the instructions given. The explanations of the trainer and jockey were noted. 

On the back of the encouraging effort, the team were left to look forward to next month's Betfair Chase at Haydock.

"That's the best race he's run first time," said assistant trainer Peter Scudamore. "He's an unbelievable talent and I'm delighted. You want to win every race but he has to be made. You have to have patience with him. 

"He was galloping all the way to the line and if he can do that from three or four out at Haydock, then he has a chance. 

"God willing, we can get to Haydock; that's always been the intention. I'd love to get him back to a Gold Cup, but he's got to learn to race like that."

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