Overview
- The £360,000 three-year-old, making his first start for Paul Nicholls, ran down Nicky Henderson’s 2-7 favourite Act Of Innocence to win the introductory hurdle at Newbury.
- Ridden by Harry Cobden and receiving a 20lb weight-for-age allowance, Minella Yoga edged ahead after the last to score by three-quarters of a length.
- Paddy Power shortened Minella Yoga to 16-1 for the Triumph Hurdle from 66-1, while Coral introduced him at 12-1 following the performance.
- Nicholls said the winner is one of the best youngsters in his yard and confirmed a Triumph Hurdle entry, with Cheltenham Trials Day under consideration for his next outing.
- The result carried extra resonance after Act Of Innocence left Nicholls for Henderson in the summer during a wider move that saw 18 boxes vacated at Ditcheat.