CHELTENHAM NEWS

Nolan eyeing Latest Exhibition opportunity

Paul Nolan has admitted he’s undecided on where Latest Exhibition stands his best chance to claim a Cheltenham Festival win next month.

The eight-year-old came up short in Sunday’s Flogas Novice Chase at Leopardstown as for the second time this season he was beaten by the Willie Mullins-trained Monkfish.

Monkfish is set to feature in next month’s Festival Novices’ Chase, while the unbeaten Envoi Allen will go in the Marsh Novices’ Chase.

Trainer Nolan now has a decision to make on which race Latest Exhibition will stand the best chance of victory in at Prestbury Park.

“Monkfish just looks to be an exceptional animal. I didn’t think we’d seen a horse to match Envoi Allen in the last number of years, but he possibly proved that he could,” Nolan said.

“It’s unfortunate for me that it’s difficult to avoid them. If I go back in trip in Cheltenham I take on Envoi Allen, or I stay where I am and take on Monkfish again. We’ve never met Envoi Allen, whereas we’ve met Monkfish three times and he’s beaten us three times.

“We’ll have to make decisions about Cheltenham, whether we stay at home and go for the Ryanair Gold Cup or the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse instead.”