RACING:THE RYANAIR Chase favourite Noble Prince looks set to enjoy a successful Cheltenham festival prep' at Fairyhouse tomorrow when Paul Nolan's star lines up in the Grade Two feature.
Just five line up for the €37,500 Normans Grove Chase and Noble Prince can bring an irresistible combination of class and resilience to the task.
As a son of Montjeu, that element of class is hardly surprising in Noble Prince but for a sire whose progeny can exhibit a certain mental frailty sometimes, his chasing son is remarkably durable.
After 13 starts on the flat for Andre Fabre, Noble Prince has continued to progress over jumps for Wexford-based Nolan and memorably scored at last year’s festival in the Jewson.
The same course and distance in the Ryanair is the objective this time and most firms rate Noble Prince a 5 to 1 favourite for that Grade One feature.
Such a price will lengthen significantly if he can’t beat this opposition which includes Blazing Tempo who will attempt to secure Willie Mullins a hat-trick of wins in this race.
Champion owner JP McManus will see his colours carried tomorrow by Shot From The Hip who has his second start over fences in the Beginners Chase.
The first saw the Grade One Punchestown festival hurdles winner finish fifth behind Hidden Cyclone at Leopardstown on the final day of the Christmas festival.
There should be significant improvement in Edward O’Grady’s horse on the back of that experience.
McManus could also strike in the bumper with Trupenny Bit who reverts back to the level after an encouraging run over flights behind Touch Back last time.
The Willie Mullins team look set to dominate the opening maiden hurdle with Lord Gale and Vesper Bell while Theleze can also score for the champion trainer under Andrew Lynch.
Today’s meeting at Haydock is subject to an 8am precautionary inspection this morning. With the ground already heavy, up to 10 millimetres of rainfall has been forecast before racing. The high-class jumps card is due to feature the Peter Marsh Chase.
