Another Denman? Nicholls has high hopes for No Drama This End

On a day when Storm Claudia attempted to dampen spirits at Cheltenham, No Drama This End emerged from the gloom to brighten Paul Nicholls’ mood after a mixed start to the season.

Nicholls has been forced to rule his best horse Caldwell Potter out for the season and has already had to rejig plans for Kalif Du Berlais following his lacklustre return.

Last seen in the Champion Bumper finishing behind the reopposing Heads Up, who ran above expectations to be second in March, on this occasion Harry Cobden’s biggest worry was when to take up the running.

He waited until after the last and cruised home to win by three lengths from the John McConnell-trained Heads Up, the 7-4 favourite.

Nicholls said of his 5-1 winner: “He’s a real one without a shadow of a doubt. We thought he was, but until they go out and do it on the track you don’t know.

“He has shown us plenty at home and did a beautiful gallop at Newbury the other day. Nico de Boinville rode him that day and was smiling afterwards, he said he loved him.

“We think a lot of him, we’ve given him plenty of time and we’ll give him plenty of time, but there’s no doubt he’s a proper one.

“We need horses like this and he’ll go straight to the Challow (at Newbury) now. He’s a proper big chasing horse who we will look after and will go chasing next year.

“We’ve a lot to look forward to with him and he’s always had something special about him all along – we just needed to see it on track which we did today.

“Running in the Champion Bumper didn’t do him any harm and he’d be right up there with all the horses I’ve won the Challow with in the past.”