Noland scoops Sandown spoils

Arkle Trophy favourite Noland completed his preparation in satisfactory style at Sandown, 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.