Noland gives Hales best present

Cheltenham's Arkle Trophy favourite Noland gave Shropshire owner John Hales the perfect birthday present at Sandown yesterday.

Cosford-based businessman Hales celebrated his 69th birthday as Noland completed his preparation for The Festival in satisfactory style at Sandown, although trainer Paul Nicholls reporting the gelding to be not fully tuned-up.

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.

The advantage was made more handsome when Psychomodo took a heavy fall at the penultimate obstacle and Noland, who produced some exemplary leaps, was fully in command on the run-in.

"He has had a right blow after that and there is tonnes of improvement to come," said Nicholls.

"He was hard to get right before his chasing debut at Folkestone and had a setback afterwards so that is just what we wanted - it was either come here or have a racecourse gallop.

"He wants a much faster pace, which he will get in the Arkle."