Horse In Focus - Minella Class

MINELLA CLASS 

• Minella Class [1] was an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown [2] last Saturday. He beat his nearest rival, Megastar [3], by 7L's in the 2m 110yds contest on heavy ground. 

• The son of Oscar, out of the mare Louisas Dream, was bred by Jimmy Mangan in Conna Stud, Co. Cork. Mangan has a total of 15 mares based at his Conna Stud where he also bred the multiple hurdle and chase winner, Psycho [4], trained by Tony Martin [5]. 

• He sold Minella Class [6] as a foal to J. Mallen for €28,000 at the Tattersalls November National Hunt Sale. He is currently the only winner out of Louisas Dream and was her third foal. Louisas Dream herself, is an unplaced half-sister to Galway Plate third Cool Running [7]. She currently has a yearling filly by Robin Des Pres and a 3yo colt by Westerner.

• Minella Class [8] started off his career by running in three point to points, finishing 2nd to the high class Al Ferof [9]at the Athlacca meeting. He then made his racecourse debut for his then trainer Trevor Horgan [10], in a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick [11] but he finished down the field. 

• On his next two starts however, he won a bumper in Naas [12] on heavy ground before finishing 2nd in another bumper, this time at Limerick [13]. After that he went to the Brightwells Cheltenham April National Hunt Sale where he was sold to Highflyer Bloodstock [14] for £95,000.

• The now 6yo, made an impressive British debut at Newbury [15] in December 2010, winning the 2m maiden hurdle comfortably on good ground. He was then stepped up markedly in grade in last Saturdays Grade 1 novice hurdle, which he took in his stride. 

• His current trainer Nicky Henderson [16], said that he is still learning and will make a lovely chaser. He would prefer to aim him at the Neptune Investement Management Hurdle at Cheltenham [17] over 2m5f rather than the Supreme Novices´ over 2m, saying that he thinks "he'd travel and quicken better on better ground over that trip." With more improvement sure to come before March, he would look to have a good chance of grabbing some festival glory.