Noland to go for the Arkle

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Trainer Paul Nicholls immediately scoffed at suggestions that he had rowed with owner John Hales over whether the 2006 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner would head back to Cheltenham in March.

In the frame: Noland on his way to an easy win at Folkestone

He said: "John was livid with the report. The horse is entered in the Arkle and the Royal & SunAlliance Chase but, on today's evidence, it will be the Arkle unless the ground is fast.

"Obviously, John was a little nervous after Granit Jack's sad demise, but all he wanted was for Noland to get some experience before Cheltenham — and he'll have another run in a couple of weeks."

Jockey Ruby Walsh could also ride Glencove Marina in the Arkle and will have a difficult decision to make nearer the time.

He has the choice of rides as he has no retainer with the latter's trainer, Willie Mullins, or with Nicholls.

Meanwhile, Ascot has plugged a key sponsorship gap by announcing that Sony, one of their three branding rights companies, are to support the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on September 27 to the tune of £250,000.

Ascot is to invite the world's two most successful jockeys, Brazilian Jorge Ricardo and Californian Russell Russell Baze to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup in August.

Ricardo rode his 10,000th winner last week, while Baze is not far behind. They will form part of the Rest of the World team competing against Britain, Ireland and Europe.

Ricardo, who has been champion jockey in Brazil 26 times and is currently riding in Buenos Aires because of the parlous state of Brazilian racing, has never previously competed against Baze.