Noble Prince seeks Cheltenham chance

Connections are hopeful that Noble Prince will be given a place in the St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham.

The 11-year-old is a former winner at the Festival, claiming the spoils back in 2011 in what is now called the JLT Novices’ Chase under Tony McCoy.

The son of Montjeu managed a few second-place finishes later that year but has struggled in recent times and has been point-to-pointing this season.

But he has impressed and trainer Paul Nolan is banking on the powers-that-be granting his charge a chance to return to the limelight at Prestbury Park.

“I’m hoping he’ll get into the Foxhunter. He’s won his two opens,” he said. “They give preference to hunter chase winners or placed horses but there is a wild card at the discretion of the handicapper so I’m hoping that our fella would be highly enough rated to get a run.

“He’s a former winner of the Jewson and was seventh in the Coral Cup last year so we know he likes it around Cheltenham. He’s in good form and won well at Punchestown the last day.”