Racing Folkestone report:Noland emerged from almost two years on the sidelines to make a perfect start to his career over fences in the Folkestone Beginners' Chase yesterday.
The 2006 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner had been absent since his Cheltenham success with leg trouble, but put himself in line for a second Festival visit with a likeable performance under Ruby Walsh.
Connections played down any talk of a rift between trainer Paul Nicholls and owner John Hales regarding a Cheltenham run, with Coral and Blue Square quoting him as 10 to 1 second favourite for the Arkle. Totesport and Paddy Power were more impressed and make him an 8 to 1 shot for the two-mile championship event.
The seven-year-old jumped beautifully on his reappearance and, after going clear before the third last, the 8 to 13 favourite was pushed out to see off Polinamix by nine lengths.
Nicholls' assistant, Dan Skelton, said: "That was the perfect start and it was great to see after such a long lay-off. With a horse like this you have to mind their legs, so we haven't gone overboard with him at home.
"And that would have been the most serious piece of work he's done and he's had a good blow afterwards. The Kingmaker at Warwick might suit him next and that would be a tentative choice of where we go next, although there are plenty of options."
Nicky Henderson maintained his red-hot run of form when Dave's Dream made a blinding start to his career over timber in division one of the Folkestone Maiden Hurdle. The 5 to 6 favourite accounted for Bremen by four lengths.
Henderson's assistant, Tom Symonds, said: "He is just a shell of a horse at the moment but in a couple of years he will be a serious horse over fences".
O'Sullevan honoured
The Cheltenham Festival's four-miler will be run this year as the Peter O'Sullevan National Hunt Chase in honour of the legendary commentator, who will turn 90 on March 3rd.
O'Sullevan, who first visited the meeting in 1935, said:
"I am greatly flattered and honoured to have my name associated with the historic National Hunt Chase.
"I was lucky enough to commentate on the race for many years, including in the days when the course took the runners out of view behind the car park at the back of the stands!
"Seeing my name linked with a race at the Festival this year will rank alongside the privilege of commentating on Arkle's breathtaking Gold Cups and the joy of calling home for BBC viewers my own little Triumph Hurdle hero Attivo on March 14th, 1974."
