Lexus date for Noland
The Grade One on December 28 was the target for Denman until his retirement last week and with Nicholls now having Kauto Star and Master Minded in the picture for the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton, he has asked owner John Hales to supplement Noland.
A winner of the John Durkan at Punchestown in 2008, Noland has not raced since landing the Aon Chase at Newbury in February.
“Obviously Denman was going there but with Kauto Star and Master Minded running in the King George I said to John it was going to be a hot race,” Nicholls said.
“John agreed, and while I should have entered him in the Lexus before, we’re now going to supplement him. He’s very well, runs well fresh, and it looks a good race for him.”
Meanwhile, trainer Alan King has revealed that the rest of Medermit’s campaign will be geared around the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March following his excellent run in defeat on Saturday.
Alan King’s high-class grey finished a close second behind Quantitativeeasing in the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup, conceding almost a stone to the Nicky Henderson-trained winner.
King is unsure where his charge will line up next, but a return to Prestbury Park is very much on his agenda.
“He seems to have come out of the race fine and I was thrilled with him,” said King.
“He’ll probably have a little break now and the Ryanair would be his main target. We’ll work back from there and I’m not sure where he’ll go next.”
