A 150,000 Euro purchase two years ago out of Andre Fabre's yard after winning a couple on the level, Noble Prince made the perfect start to his chasing career having won three hurdles since joining Paul Nolan, with a silky smooth victory in the Dobbins Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase at Punchestown. Paul Carberry did the steering and he was bringing up a double for the Wexford yard following Seafield s win in the first under Alain Cawley.
The well-backed Saludos peck at the back of two out could have been costly to Noble Prince as he got hampered but Carberry soon had the son of Montjeu gelding back on an even keel and he wasn't extended to ease past Healys Bar on the run-in, prevailing by a length and three parts.
James Nolan, representing Paul, said: "He rubbed off the first and that crowned him as he put in a nice round of jumping after. He settled well today which has been an issue with him before.
"We made a mess of him last season, running him back in the Lismullen Hurdle just a week after winning at Naas and we won't be doing that again as he needs time between his races.
"He probably doesn't see out three miles and we'd see him as more of a middle distance horse (between two and two and a half miles). Hopefully he'll have learned plenty from that and we'll talk to Mr Sharkey (the owner) now with regard to plans. He could come back here for the Craddockstown Chase (on November 14th) and the Drinmore would be another possible race for him."
Stan James go 25/1 (from 33s) about Noble Prince for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham.
