At Halloween Family Fun Day at Aintree Racecourse, the Donald McCain-trained nine-year-old finally landed a big race victory, described by the trainer as "magic", after several near misses, when landing the Grade Two feature by a length-and-three-quarters under Brian Hughes. Minella Drama had been second to 25-1 shock winner Jetoile in the limited handicap 12 months ago when three fences in the home straight were omitted due to low sun. But there was no issue with that this time at a murky Aintree, as Minella Drama jumped superbly to make all the running under Hughes, who was landing a record third victory in the race following wins on Forest Bihan in 2019 and Riders Onthe Storm in 2022.
Minella Drama, who lined up off a 6lb lower mark than last year, controlled proceedings throughout and stayed on well to beat Hitman, who was also runner-up in the Old Roan in 2022. Ahoy Senor was third with 2-1 favourite Stage Star disappointing again at Aintree back in fourth.
The McCain name is synonymous with the Grand National through the late Ginger McCain's joint record four successes with triple hero Red Rum in the 1970s and Amberleigh House in 2004. Son and successor at Bankhouse Stables in Cholmondeley, Donald, also took the world's greatest steeplechase with Ballabriggs in 2011. He has had plenty of success at Aintree over the years, but this is his biggest victory since that special day in April 2011.
Merseyside-born handler McCain said: "It's magic, he's been a wonderful little horse who has deserved his big day. There's no better place for him to do it. It's what it is all about and if we could pick and choose where for him to win, this would be the place. He's got local owners and obviously we're a local yard so it's very special. He's got some good form here and was second in the Grade One novice hurdle so obviously likes the place and I'm sure we will be coming back here at some point.
"He has deserved a big day, he turns up all the time, runs his race all the time. He’s been placed in this race and a Melling Chase, so it’s great he gets his day in the sun. I have to give Adrian Lane a shout. We had horrendous rain last week and we were flooded. I could have cried and we managed to get him away to Haydock last week and I thought we were a week too soon. But Adrian said get on and run him. Adrian at home and Brian have been the making of him. He is far from easy."
Minella Drama was cut to 16-1 by Paddy Power for the Grand Sefton Chase back over the Grand National fences back at Aintree in two weeks, but McCain is in no rush for his next move. He added: "I've always been inclined – because he is so tough – to overrace him a bit, but I don't know whether I should take a patience pill now he's won his big one and give him chance to regroup. We'll get home and sort it out and there's no great plan.
"He hates turning right out of the yard to go south, he likes going north. It sounds ridiculous, but he lost the plot down at Ascot last year, I could have not even saddled him up he was that upset beforehand. There's no rhyme or reason to it that's just him, so we will take our time.
"On his day he is useful little tool. We will regroup, take our time and choose a race. The Old Roan is one of those races you want to win. I have been second in it with the grey horse of Mr Hemmings and he was last year. But it is the Old Roan and it's great to finally win it."
Minella Drama has been pitched in at the top level in the past, but may not be again. He was pulled up in last year's Melling Chase at the Grand National meeting, having been third in the 2m4f Grade One contest 12 months earlier. But although he could line-up again for a first time in the race back at Aintree in the spring, McCain feels he just can't cope with top-level opposition. He added: "In the Grade One last April against Shishkin and Jonbon and all those, after three out I thought we are out of our depth here. We are probably are a handicapper/Grade Two and that's him. But he always turns up and we'll see."
Runner-up Hitman's jockey Freddie Gingell Hitman, said: “He gave me a very good spin and we probably just bumped into one. He was the outsider today and ran a blinder."
Copperhead (11-5) returned back to form to win the Virgin Bet Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans' Handicap Chase. The Joe Tizzard-trained 11-year-old. Under Freddie Gingell, who had some smart form in the past, scored by 14 lengths from Fortescue (7-1) with Rapper (11-1) a further six lengths adrift in third.
Fortescue led for much of the way, but Copperhead was always travelling well just off the pace. He took over at the second last and quickly moved clear to win for a second time in a row, following a success at Plumpton back in May.
Gingell said: "Obviously he was a good horse in his day. He damaged his eye socket and he had never been same horse since. But he has come back this season stronger than ever and he feels like a new horse. That is my first win at Aintree. Obviously second in the Old Roan a minute ago and now this. It is incredible."
Sunray Shadow (11-10 favourite) won the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Maiden Hurdle.
