Cloone River on the easy list Cloone River is ´very unlikely´ to reappear in the Baileys-sponsored Arkle Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday week (January 23) after suffering a slight setback.´He was a bit stiff yesterday evening and, at this stage, I would say he´s very unlikely to run at Leopardstown,´ said trainer Paul Nolan, speaking on Attheraces this morning.The nine-year-old gelding, impressive winner of the Galway Hurdle last year, is one of the leading Irish hopes for the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival having subsequently got his chasing career off to a bright start when scoring at Tralee and Galway.Nolan did have a positive update on his other big Cheltenham hope Accordion Etoile. ´He´s in good form, and I would say he´s 80-90% sure to go for the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown (also Jan 23).´´It was a good drying day yesterday, and Leopardstown can dry out quickly. The Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury is another option but he wouldn´t go there unless Rooster Booster carries top-weight. I wouldn´t run him with a big weight so close to Cheltenham.´Accordian Etoile took the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle in fine style at Cheltenham in November, and is very much part of the strong Irish challenge for the Champion Hurdle.
