Adam Nicol could resist the temptation to run hugely promising juvenile hurdler Minella Study again before the Cheltenham Festival.
Now unbeaten in three, Nicol pointed towards the fact the former John Nalen-trained three-year-old has not had much of a break since the first run of his career in September 2024 may influence his route to the big meeting.
He produced a polished display at Cheltenham on Saturday in winning a Triumph Hurdle trial by over six lengths and has set an early marker for the March showpiece.
“He’s come out of it really well, he came home that night and licked his bowl clean and he’s been in the field for two days bucking and kicking, you wouldn’t think he’d had a race,” said Nicol, who is based at Seahouses on the Northumberland coast.
“The one thing about him is nothing fazes him at all, he never wastes an ounce of energy worrying about things.
“I’ve had people ringing me to say how he impressive he was and on TV on Saturday they were saying he clocked some impressive numbers.
“He’s probably the highest-rated juvenile in the UK now, as he’s gone up 11lb to 138.
“We still haven’t properly discussed what we do next, but there is still even a chance he just goes straight to Cheltenham.
“John Nalen ran him twice as a juvenile in September and October (last year), then he gave him a little break, but he ran again in April so he’ll have been in training in January time. He ran for me 84 days after his last run in Ireland, but he has been busy.”
Reflecting further on the weekend, the former jockey said: “What was impressive was Ryan (Mania) only gave him a couple of flicks and he quickened into the last – how many times have you seen a horse put down at the last when they are in front, but he jumped it like a fence.
“It’s really exciting. Someone has rung up trying to buy a leg but luckily Malcolm and Carol Humble who own him are in a position where they don’t have to sell. They’ve had two great days already at Wetherby and Cheltenham and because it’s ‘A Nicol’ on the racecard they’ve even been able to back him at nice prices!”