Nolan considers options for Prince Noble Prince could be dropped in class for his prep run ahead of the Cheltenham Festival following his fine effort in the Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown. The Paul Nolan-trained seven-year-old finished with a flourish to take second spot, five lengths behind the winner Realt Dubh. Successful on his chasing debut at Punchestown in October, Noble Prince has two Grade One options back at Leopardstown - the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase and the Dr P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase - before Cheltenham, although Nolan may aim lower for now. "We did always think he wants more of a trip, but with the ground being heavy we were thrilled with him over the two miles," said Nolan. "He definitely got tapped for toe down the back and he stayed on really well to pass three or four horses in the straight. He was galloping all the way to the line, and it looks as though stepping him up in trip is the way to go. "He's in the Arkle at Leopardstown later in the month, but we'll have the Moriarty more in mind on Hennessy day there. "But with the ground being as heavy as it is we might give him a lesser option instead of that with a view to going to Cheltenham and the better ground. He'd appreciate the ground not being as heavy as it is. "We might go for a little contest as a prep to Cheltenham instead of taking on the better horses in the Grade Ones. Barry (Geraghty) said the last day the further he went the better he was going. He was tapped for toe so hopefully a step up in trip will suit. "I suppose the new two-and-a-half-miler (the Jewson Novices' Chase) looks to be the ideal race for him."
