River may run at Cheltenham

Exciting Irish jumps recruit Cloone River could head to Cheltenham next month for the Grade Two November Novices’ Chase.

The Paul Nolan-trained eight-year-old is 10-1 favourite with Ladbrokes for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy in March and could gain some experience of the Prestbury Park track at the Open meeting.

“Assuming the horse is still fit and well, he will run in either the race at Cheltenham or in the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown on the same day. We will make a decision nearer the time,” Nolan told the Racing Post.

Winner of the Galway Hurdle in July, Cloone River is unbeaten in two starts over fences and was due to run at Roscommon two weeks ago.

However, the gelding was forced to miss that engagement and connections also decided against running him in today’s Grade Three Tote Exacta Ballybrit Novice Chase at Galway.

“Galway can get very testing at this time of year and we decided we were not going to run the risk of pulling the guts out of him on heavy ground,” Nolan added.

“He is going to have to have a break at some stage but we could yet re-route him to the Denny Gold Medal Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting and then head towards Cheltenham.”