Cloone River runs out of time for festival

Racing News: There was contrasting news yesterday for Irish hopes of lifting the Queen Mother Champion Chase crown next month as half the horses left in the race come from this country but with the notable name of Cloone River not included, writes Brian O'Connor Racing Correspondent

Paul Nolan has admitted defeat in the attempt to get the former Galway Hurdle hero to Cheltenham but Moscow Flyer still heads the list of nine Irish left among the 19 still remaining in the second day festival highlight.

"We have been just beaten for time and it would have been a stupid waste of money leaving him in any longer. Instead we'll concentrate on the festivals at Fairyhouse and Punchestown," said Nolan.

Cloone River hasn't run since taking a horrific fall in last year's Galway Hurdle and his trainer added: "In a race like this you are wasting your time taking one over if he is not 100 per cent."

There was better news, however, about the "dark horse" among the Irish team with the Co Cork trainer John Murphy issuing an upbeat report about Newmill. The former Grade One winner over hurdles is now as low as 16 to 1 in some books after significant ante-post support since winning the Kinloch Brae at Thurles last month.

"He's in great form and definitely goes there with a chance. He's not a complete outsider by any means," Murphy said yesterday. "He has got all the ability in the world. It's just a matter of clicking on the day." The one uncertainty regards a jockey for Newmill. His regular rider Robbie Power broke a bone in a foot last week and faces up to two months on the sidelines. "It's a desperate shame for him because he had other good rides lined up for the festival too," said Murphy, who hopes to know by the weekend who will be deputising.

Another Irish star among the Champion Chase entries is Justified but Dusty Sheehy's horse will stay among the novice brigade and instead take the Arkle route. "We couldn't be happier with him. He is showing all the right vibes again," said Sheehy who was disappointed with Justified's last start when third in the Irish Arkle. "There is an old saying about needing a fresh horse to win at Cheltenham and that's always been in the back of my mind. So we will give him a piece of work away from home, possibly at Leopardstown, beforehand," he added.

A total of 39 entries remain in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup with the Irish team headed by the ante-post favourite Beef Or Salmon and the Mouse Morris-trained War Of Attrition.

There were also no surprises in the 23 entries left for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle. The AIG first and second, Brave Inca and Macs Joy, lead the Irish along with the double champion Hardy Eustace.

Today's home action is at Thurles where Nine O looks a very interesting contender in the two and three-quarter-mile handicap chase. Trained in Askeaton by Séamus Braddish, Nine O ran up a three-timer over hurdles before disappointing at Limerick last month.

The third of those hurdles wins came off a mark of 89 but he runs off 77 today since he hasn't started over fences since September of 2004.

Two chase starts then didn't set the world on fire but he was a point-to-point winner two years ago and on his best hurdles form Nine O could be well in here.

Won't Leave An Oat is another interesting runner in the Beginners Chase. Derek O'Connor's ride has won her last four point-to-points and looks a very different proposition now to the one that fell in a maiden hurdle.

Island Pride looked full value for an 8lb hike in the ratings after winning here last time and despite topweight will be hard to beat in the other handicap chase.

Willie Mullins unveils another newcomer in the bumper but experience is with Gleann An Sagart who ran third to Shady Willow at Punchestown.