Best is to come: Nolan confident Latest Exhibition can improve in Graded test

Leading Cheltenham Festival fancy Latest Exhibition is set to test his credentials as one of the most promising novice chasers in training this season, with Paul Nolan confirming his star performer is on track to run in the Grade 2 Liam and Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase (12.35) at Punchestown on Sunday.

The Dublin Racing festival scorer, who was just denied by a neck when second to Monkfish in the Albert Bartlett, will bid to make it two from two over fences in the 2m6½f event.

The Grade 1-winning novice hurdler will face a maximum of eight rivals, potentially including recent Grade 3 winner Home By The Lee and useful Gordon Elliott-trained performer Pencilfulloflead.

Paul Nolan on Latest Exhibition: 'He's very consistent and doesn't take a massive amount of work'Credit: Patrick McCann

"We were happy with his first outing over fences and he's pleased us since so hopefully we can get him back to Punchestown as well as he did the first time," said the Wexford trainer.

"There's scope for improvement. He races a little behind the bridle at times and a little in snatches, but at the business end of his races he's best and that's where it's most important."

Nolan added of the general 10-1 second favourite for the 3m½f novice chase at the festival in March: "He wouldn't have a huge amount of experience for a seven-year-old, no point-to-point background, and he was pretty green on his first couple of runs over hurdles.

"He's very consistent and doesn't take a massive amount of work. Thankfully he seems very well at the moment so hopefully everything stays good."

Discorama: placed at the last three Cheltenham FestivalsCredit: Patrick McCann

It could be a big weekend for Nolan's Toberona team, with Discorama, placed at the last three Cheltenham Festivals, set to return to the Cotswolds for the Grade 3 Planteur At Chapel Stud Handicap Chase (1.50) on Sunday.

"The ground is described as good at the moment so we're hoping a little rain comes for him," said Nolan. "He doesn't look to be totally at home on very testing ground either but some rain would be a help."

He added: "It's very difficult to win those big handicap chases in Ireland off top weight or close to it and finding other races isn't always ideal in terms of the conditions.

"Even at Galway when he went for a winners-of-one chase last time, he bumped into the Kim Muir winner Milan Native and had to give away a penalty."

Nolan could also saddle gutsy Galway festival-winning mare Mrs Milner at Cheltenham, with the five-year-old holding two entries for Saturday's action.

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