SANDOWN’s Friday card had small fields for its two Grade 2 novice contests but it still gave an exciting afternoon. The Paul Nicholls-trained No Drama This End continued to make a big impression as he won his first graded hurdle in the Grade 2 Betfair Winter Novices’ Hurdle over two and a half miles.

The Walk In The Park five-year-old settled in third and came through along the rail on the bridle over the last two hurdles to go on to a five-length win without being asked a question. “He sauntered round and did that very nicely,” Paul Nicholls said of the McNeill and Barber family owned gelding.