Minella Drama

That Aintree win, on 27 October 2024, is the one that defines him. It was a Class 1 race — among the most prestigious in Britain — and it came after earlier placed efforts at the same track. Hughes said he had been there before, been close before, and finally got "his day in the sun." At the top level, Minella Drama has won 2 from 14 races (14%), which sounds modest until you consider the quality of the company. Most horses at that level never win at all.

He has form that tells a clear story. His first win came at Uttoxeter in October 2021, then followed two wins in the space of six weeks at the start of 2023 — both Class 2 races — before that Class 1 at Haydock in January 2022 rounded out his big-race record. On normal ground, he is at his most dangerous, winning 2 of 5 races in those conditions (40%). He prefers left-handed tracks and, according to McCain, has an unexplained reluctance when travelling south. Quirky, yes — but a horse is allowed a few opinions at 11.

The honest part: he has not won in his last six races, and his last victory was 18 months ago. Recent runs have shown little. But McCain was clear after Aintree that the horse "ran a screamer" — the fences were removed from the course that day, which he felt changed the shape of the race entirely and arguably cost his horse a cleaner result. He described it with barely contained frustration as "not the best watch in the world." The trainer's view now is that, with veteran chases available to him and the right conditions — good ground, a left-handed track, no long motorway trip — Minella Drama still has something to offer. At his age, that alone says plenty.