Arkle hope Cloone River takes a break

Rising Irish star Cloone River, ante-post favourite for the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival, is to be given a rest before trying to claim top honours at the National Hunt extravaganza.

Unbeaten in two starts over fences, the eight-year-old is as low as 10-1 with Ladbrokes for the two-mile showpiece and had been considered as a possible for a Grade Two Novice Chase at Prestbury Park on Sunday week.