The McNeill family is heading to the Cheltenham Festival with two rising stars: the unbeaten hurdler No Drama This End and Racing TV presenter Ella McNeill. The horse, co-owned by Max McNeill and the Barber family, is favourite for the Turner's Novices' Hurdle.
Ella, 28, secured a full-time presenting role with Racing TV in 2025 after freelancing for RacedayTV and OLBG. She credits her passion for racing to childhood trips to the track with her father, including a memorable day off school to see the family's horse Walkon run at Cheltenham in 2009.
Ella introduced her father to the Barbers through her friendship with heptathlete Ellen Barber and jockey Megan Nicholls. 'We always said we needed to get them together in a horse,' she recalled. Despite initial reluctance from her father to buy into No Drama This End, Ella insisted, 'this is one we cannot miss'.
The horse, ninth in last year's Champion Bumper, has won all three starts over hurdles, including the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in December. 'We cannot believe how we have lucked out,' Ella said. 'We've never owned a horse that has achieved what he's achieved in a short space of time.'
Ella now hosts Racing TV's Wednesday night Kempton coverage and recently worked at the Saudi Cup. 'I want to nail the Racing TV job, get comfortable with the live environment and improve my skills,' she said.
