‘Tonnes of improvement’ to come as Noland completes Arkle preparation

ARKLE Trophy favourite Noland completed his preparation in satisfactory style at Sandown yesterday, with trainer Paul Nicholls reporting the gelding to be not fully tuned up for the occasion.

Despite beating the lower-rated My Petra by only a length and a half in the Durkan Group Novices’ Chase and making no impression on the Cheltenham market, connections pointed out several mitigating circumstances.

Noland, sent off at 1-4, was joined by My Petra and Psychomodo on the loop to the third-last and Ruby Walsh had to shake his mount up to regain the lead.