Aintree may await No Drama This End after Festival defeat

No Drama This End could try to atone for his Cheltenham Festival defeat by stepping up in trip at Aintree.

The six-year-old was sent off the 5-2 favourite for Wednesday’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle but was pulled up before the last, with trainer Paul Nicholls and part-owner Max McNeill blaming a standing start for his lacklustre effort.

Having run over two miles and five furlongs in that contest, No Drama This End could now move up to three miles for the Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle on April 5 at Aintree.

McNeill told Racing TV: “Harry Cobden (jockey) really looked after our horse – after a mile he knew we were beat and he pulled him up.

“I’m just speaking to Paul and it looks like we might be able to go to Aintree. Before the (Cheltenham) race this was our last race (of the season) but because he didn’t have such a hard race and he’s kicking and bucking this morning, he’s as good as gold, so I think that is the plan.

“The three miles on a flatter track I think might suit him, it just gives him a bit more time as well.”

The British Horseracing Authority announced on Thursday that it would be undertaking a full review after a number of unsatisfactory starts at the Festival and McNeill believes the situation is in need of further examination.

He added: “I think the whole process of the starts needs looking at. It’s not the starters because they have such a difficult job, it was one of those heat of the moment things.

“Would we have won? Probably not but the start didn’t help and I think when you’ve been building up to something for so long, not just for me but for other owners because it happened on Thursday as well. Starting on a bend for example, we need to really look at that in my view.

“I think Cheltenham had a fantastic week. I think the satisfaction scores from everyone who attended is up tremendously, there were 8,000 more people than last year. (Chief executive) Guy Lavender is such a huge asset to us at Cheltenham and I don’t want to dwell on any negatives.”