Minella Drama Set for Left-Handed Return

Minella Drama is likely to avoid right-handed tracks moving forward after being pulled up in the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.

The Donald McCain-trained gelding had impressed on his seasonal debut by winning the Old Roan Chase at Aintree, beating notable rivals such as Hitman and Ahoy Senor. However, his latest outing in Grade Two company proved disappointing as he struggled with his jumping and failed to complete the race.

McCain reflected on the performance, suggesting the horse’s jumping tendencies might have been misinterpreted in the past.

“We always thought he’d prefer going right-handed because he shifts a bit to his right when he jumps,” McCain explained. “But after Sunday, we think that’s wrong. What he actually does is drift right, which takes him away from other horses.”

“All his best form is left-handed, where he can jump and do his own thing. At Huntingdon, he was on the inner and clipped the uprights of the fences a couple of times. He just didn’t enjoy the experience.”

Despite a tough day, McCain made the welfare of the horse his priority.

“Brian (Hughes) could have jumped him around to pick up prize money, but we’ve had a few horses hurt recently, so the most important thing was bringing him home safely.”

Minella Drama has a couple of options for his next outing, both over the Christmas period.

“We’ll see how he is, but there’s a handicap at Aintree on Boxing Day or the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby over three miles,” McCain said. “Both are possibilities.”

With his preference for left-handed tracks now clearer, Minella Drama’s team will aim to get him back on track and return him to the kind of form that saw him triumph in the Old Roan Chase earlier this season.