Etoile flying as Champion looms
Smurfit Champion Hurdle hope Accordion Etoile is reported to be in top form as connections put the finishing touches to his Cheltenham Festival preparations.
The gelding is as big as 14-1 with William Hill for the championship event after finishing behind some of the principal contenders in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
However, that race was on unsuitably testing ground and the six-year-old has been delighting trainer Paul Nolan in his work since.
“We thought he went very well yesterday,” he said. “He worked exceptionally - he really does seem to be improving again and we were very pleased with what we saw.
“He worked over a mile and a half with his usual partner and he definitely seemed to account for him better than he normally does, even better than he did before he went to Cheltenham last time.
“Everything is on course for Cheltenham, touch wood, and I really do wish it was in two days’ time.”
Accordion Etoile has only raced three times this season, finishing second to Solerina – with Harchibald even further back – on his seasonal bow before claiming the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November.
Nolan’s charge was made favourite for the hurdling crown after that Prestbury Park win but the subsequent efforts of the likes of Back In Front, Harchibald and last year’s winner Hardy Eustace have seen his odds lengthen.
However, Nolan is convinced that if the ground is on the better side at Cheltenham, his horse will have decent claims.
“This is the time when you start double-checking everything and hopefully we can get him there in one piece and I think he will have a good each-way chance, as long as the ground isn’t soft,” he explained.
“I think it looks a bit more competitive than the betting would suggest and people are taking him on that last run at Leopardstown, but I hope he will leave that well behind.
“We know he can’t beat those horses on soft ground but as long as there’s no ‘soft’ in the ground at Cheltenham, he should have a chance.”
Nolan had another leading Cheltenham hope in his yard in Arkle fancy Cloone River.
However, a recurrence of a muscle injury last month ruled the nine-year-old out of the Festival meeting and although Punchestown in April remains a possibility, Cloone River will not be hurried back into action.
“We don’t want to bring him back until he absolutely 100 per cent. It’s only a minor problem but you don’t want to worsen it and make it something bigger by continuing to work on it,” added Nolan.
“We thought we might get him back for Cheltenham at first but we don’t want to hurry him.
“He might still run at Punchestown but the horse will let us know when he is right.”
