'Set To Take High Rank In This Division' - Three Irish Runners To Watch At Cheltenham This Weekend It’s the middle afternoon of the November Meeting at Cheltenham on Saturday and there will be lots of Irish interest in the Cotswolds. There are 20 raiding Irish runners bound for Cheltenham, set to contest in all seven races on the card and we've picked out a trio worth keeping an eye on. 12.35 Cheltenham - JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle — Secret Force Gavin Cromwell tasted Gold Cup glory in the spring as Inothewayurthinkin landed the Blue Riband. He'll be hoping to build on an impressive season from last time and his UK raiders are typically worth noting. He sends out Secret Force in the opening JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle, with Keith Donoghue in the saddle. It's a strong field of 12 contenders, with lots of 1s beside the runners as Cromwell's charge joins Parchment, One Horse Town and Kate O'Riley in protecting an unbeaten record, while Donald McCain's French import Lord has won 3-4 so far. Secret Force is a gelding by Frankel and he started out with Charlie Appleby in the Godolphin silks. He joined this handler after three runs and opened his account on heavy ground at Listowel off a mark of 70 on the Flat in September and is now 2-2 for connections having easily won a 3-Y-O Hurdle at Punchestown last month. There could be plenty more to come from him. 13:10 Cheltenham - Debenhams Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase — Aurea Fortuna Aurea Fortuna is back with Tony Martin and has found form. The gelding won a handicap over hurdles at Galway with some give underfoot in August off a rating of 101 and he comes here having justified favouritism in a handicap chase at Punchestown (2m7f, good to yielding) last month in good style. He left his rivals strung out behind that day and the form has a solid look to it. Maxine O'Sullivan takes the ride now and with just 10st 7lb, this six-year-old has to be taken very seriously in his current mood. 13:45 Cheltenham - Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase — July Flower Hendy de Bromhead's record with two-mile chasers barely needs an introduction — he has won the Arkle twice and has four Queen Mother Champion Chase winners on his CV. The Knockeen trainer sends over July Flower for this Arkle Trial and the Pastorius mare must be one to monitor closely. Consistent in her native France, July Flower won a 2m4f Grade 3 over hurdles at Leopardstown last December on stable bow and was fifth in the Grade 1 Mares' Hurdle here in March as Lossiemouth led them a merry dance. She made the smoothest of introductions to chasing last month at Limerick (2m3f, yielding to soft), impressing with her fencing before cruising clear and could be set to take high rank in this division. That experience stands well against the likes of Burdett Road, Stencil and Brentford Hope as they debut over these obstacles, while Stratford winner Be Aware for Dan and Harry Skelton has to give 7lb to the mare, which is going to ask plenty if he's to stay unbeaten over fences and give the brothers successive wins in this race after L'eau Du Sud scored 12 months ago. July Flower could be the most exciting Irish runner on Saturday's Cheltenham card.
