Nicholls hopes No Drama This End follows Denman's route
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Trainer Paul Nicholls believes his horse No Drama This End could follow in the footsteps of legendary Cheltenham winner Denman at the festival this week.
No Drama is one of the favourites for the Turners Novice Hurdle on Wednesday and continues the long line of horses trained by Nicholls at the Ditcheat, Somerset, yard owned by the Barber family.
Denman, who won the Gold Cup in 2008, was the second horse trained by Nicholls-and co-owned by Barber to win the top prize in Cheltenham, after See More Business in 1999.
"He's almost following the Denman route who's going for the Turners and we're hoping that in the future he can be half as good as Denman as a chaser, we'd be happy," Nicholls told BBC Points West.
Nicholls began renting Ditchin yard almost three decades ago, after responding to an advert placed by renowned owner Paul Barber.
Barber died in 2023 but his legacy is being continued through his sons Chris and Giles, who have since taken over.
Six-year-old No Drama is the first horse since Barber's death that goes into Cheltenham with a shot at a major win.
"I'm so proud of a horse like No Drama, it's great that his two sons and the rest of the family are involved in it," Nicholls added.
"It's great to look back on all those fantastic winners - we had 50 Cheltenham winners and we're not far off training 4,000 winners and Paul was behind every one of them.
"I'm sure he's [Paul Barber] up there looking down now. If No Drama wins at Cheltenham he'll be shouting up there."
Chris Barber said his dad, Paul, would have been "so excited" about No Drama's prospects.
"He took passion in this sport to another level," he said.
"If we happen to finish in the first three at Cheltenham it's just going to be a fantastic honour to go into that winners' circle – hopefully we go there as number one."
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