Noland set for Irish test

Racing: Noland takes on some up-and-coming Irish horses in an interesting renewal of the Killultagh Properties Ltd Chase on …

Racing:Noland takes on some up-and-coming Irish horses in an interesting renewal of the Killultagh Properties Ltd Chase on Saturday.

The Grade Three event is on the undercard for Down Royal's JNwine.com Champion Chase and was identified some time ago as a target by Noland's trainer Paul Nicholls.

The 2006 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner tried novice chasing last season after two years away and finished third in the Arkle before being caught by the late rally of Starzaan at Ayr.

His opponents include Tom Taaffe's Jewson winner Finger Onthe Pulse, who scored on his reappearance at Limerick, and the able if slightly frustrating Sky's The Limit.

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Scotsirish was only seventh in the Arkle before he won at Punchestown but cut little ice over hurdles in France on his latest start.

Trainer Willie Mullins reported: "It's a difficult race to start off in and the ground will not be ideal but I have to run him somewhere and this looked the most suitable option."