Paul Nicholls 'really thrilled' as his £360,000 Triumph Hurdle hopeful downs odds-on ex-Ditcheat novice Act Of Innocence

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Paul Nicholls described Minella Yoga as "one of the best youngsters" in his yard after he defeated the highly regarded 2-7 shot Act Of Innocence to enter the Triumph Hurdle picture.

Purchased for £360,000, the three-year-old was making his first start for the yard and took full advantage of a hefty weight-for-age allowance to dent the reputation of the runner-up, who recorded an impressive course-and-distance success for Nicky Henderson last month.

The win was particularly sweet for Nicholls, who trained Act Of Innocence until he was moved to Henderson by owners Gordon and Su Hall in the summer. 

He said: "You can imagine I loved that. Without a shadow of a doubt, he’s one of the best youngsters I have. I thought I’d have half a chance to run him against Act Of Innocence, and I couldn’t have had a better result! I’m really thrilled with that.

"We’ve liked what we've seen at home, and he went very nicely during a gallop at Wincanton. He’s got a lot of class."

Henderson has got off to a flying start with his select intake from the Halls, notably with Old Park Star, who also left Nicholls' yard and won well at Cheltenham this month to leave him contesting favouritism for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Act Of Innocence was introduced at 20-1 for the Supreme following his Newbury win last month, after which Henderson said he had "a big future". But Minella Yoga, in receipt of 20lb, gamely kept tabs on the front-runner before edging past him after the last hurdle under Harry Cobden.

Paddy Power reacted by cutting the winner into 16-1 (from 66) for the Triumph Hurdle on March 13. Coral were even more impressed, introducing him at 12-1.

Nicholls said: "He’ll definitely have an entry in the Triumph, and we could see him galloping up that Cheltenham hill, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. He’ll be a nice horse for the future.

"We could have a look at Trials day [Cheltenham, January 24] and see where we stand, but you have to mind these young horses."

Paul Nicholls: "I was never told why the horses were going, just that they weren't coming back"Credit: Edward Whitaker

'You start asking yourself what you’re doing wrong'

Paul Nicholls spoke candidly about the blow of losing horses such as Act Of Innocence in a recent Big Read with Lee Mottershead.

"I was never told why the horses were going, just that they weren't coming back," said Nicholls, who suddenly had 18 boxes in need of new tenants.

"I've never had to deal with that sort of thing at any time in my training career," he explains. "I don't like talking about it but I did find it hard. I beat myself up about it. It makes you think people are doubting you. I like to think my record speaks for itself but you almost lose your confidence and start asking yourself what you're doing wrong. I was extremely upset but there's no point screaming and shouting. You have to look forward."

Racing Post+ subscribers can read the fascinating and insightful Big Read with Paul Nicholls here

Breathtaking jumper

Gary Moore’s opinion that Old Cowboy would be better suited to a fence proved to be true after he registered an impressive first victory in that sphere.

A 17-length third on his debut over fences at Warwick this month, the five-year-old produced a dominant display to win the 2m½f handicap chase by four lengths.

Moore said: “He’s a great operator over a fence and he’s a nice horse. From day one he’s always been good, and when I saw him school for the first time, it took my breath away with how well he jumped.”

Hat-trick hero

Kim Bailey was left pleasantly surprised after White Noise showcased her talent over hurdles when completing a hat-trick under Tom Bellamy.

Bailey, who trains alongside Mat Nicholls, was under the impression that the 2m½f handicap hurdle winner would fare better over a fence.

He said: "We were slightly concerned with the drying ground, but Tom’s always said that two miles round here would suit her. He’ll claim it was his idea, and I’m not going to complain about that.

"She’s a nice mare and it’s brilliant. We bought her to be a chaser, not to win a hurdle race, so she’s done an awful lot for what we expected her to do."

Festival aim

Andashan (Freddie Gordon, left) jumps the last to beat I'm A LumberjackCredit: Edward Whitaker

Chris Gordon could look at the Cheltenham Festival for Andashan, who stayed on well to win the 2m4½f handicap hurdle.

Gordon, who has fired in four winners in the past ten days, said: “He’s very tough and hardy, and we might even look at the Martin Pipe with him. He’s still a young horse, so hopefully he’ll progress.”

King Ben

King's Threshold maintained his strong record at the track by winning the 3m2f Mandarin Handicap Chase for Emma Lavelle.

King George-winning rider Ben Jones continued his fine festive period by steering the eight-year-old to a comfortable success from Ideal Des Bordes.

Read more:

'I’m not saying he’s Denman, but in ten years I might' - No Drama This End gives Paul Nicholls more Challow joy 

'You'd be a brave man to say Lossiemouth couldn't win a Champion Hurdle' says Paul Townend after defeat of Brighterdaysahead 

'The Arkle is the goal' - exciting Irish Panther could go straight to Cheltenham after shaking up Romeo Coolio 

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