In a slight change of direction, Paul Nolan’s star novice chaser Cloone River, this year’s Galway Hurdle winner, is to run in the Grade 3 Kilbegnet Novice Chase at Roscommon on October 4.
The 8yo son of Un Desperado, so impressive when winning his novice chases at Tralee and Galway, was reported by Nolan to be “on course for the Grade 3 race at Roscommon on October 4.”
He added “the original plan with Cloone River was to give him a break but he came out of his Galway race so well that the plan now is go for the Grade 3 race at Roscommon. However, he will not run if there is an extreme of either firm or heavy ground.”
As regards long-term plans, Nolan mentioned “obviously depending on how he runs at Roscommon, his next race will probably be the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown in November but may go to the Cheltenham Open meeting for a two mile novice chase. However, the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham in March remains his main target.”
Regarding Accordian Etoile, winner of the valuable Betdaq Hurdle at Tipperary in July, Nolan mentioned “he is back after a break and will be aimed at the Grade 1 John James McManus Hurdle at Tipperary on October 3rd. The Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham is his target for the season.”
