The owners of Extra Noble had high hopes of being at Royal Ascot last year in their top hats and tails, mixing with royalty.

Nine months on and they will be at Sandown on Wednesday watching Extra Noble contest the Mitavite Challenge Heat 6.

Bought by clients of trainer Mike Moroney as a yearling, Extra Noble remained in the United Kingdom under the guidance of 2013 English Oaks-winning trainer Ralph Beckett.

He had the son of Sir Percy aimed at Royal Ascot after a placing in a race at Newbury.

The two horses which beat him home ventured to Royal Ascot, one winning at Group Three level while the other finished second in the 2400-metre race that was Extra Noble's target.

"He suffered a hairline fracture of a hind cannon bone in his last gallop (before Royal Ascot)," Moroney said.

"It cost us a bit of racing as a three-year-old but we got it screwed, gave him time to get it right, had him gelded and flew him out to Australia."

Extra Noble was given a slow and steady build-up, performing well in jump-outs before defeating last Saturday's Flemington winner Noble Protector in a Cranbourne barrier trial last month.

In the hope of finding a track with a bit of give, Extra Noble made his Australian debut at Rosehill, beating one runner home on February 21.

"Even though he had form on top of the ground over there, he just gave us the impression he might want a bit of give," Moroney said.

"It never rained in Sydney, we drew off the track, so in the end it was a wasted run."

Even though Extra Noble is bred to be a stout stayer, Moroney believes his best will be in races up to 2000m.