Etoile poised for chasing debut

ACCORDION ETOILE is set to make his chasing bow after running in the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle at Tipperary on October 2.

Paul Nolan’s six-year-old finished fourth in last season’s Champion Hurdle and also secured a highly impressive victory in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, finishing three lengths clear of Westender.

Nolan now has his sights set on a possible crack at the Arkle Trophy for the Accordion gelding.

“After Tipperary I would like him to have one run over the fences before going to the Cheltenham November meeting,” Nolan told the Racing Post.

“The idea then would be to give him a break before aiming him at Cheltenham in March.”

Meanwhile Phoenix Reach has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a hairline fracture to his off-fore leg in training.

Andrew Balding’s globetrotting five-year-old was being lined up for a tilt at the Cox Plate in Melbourne.

But after sustaining the injury, the Kingsclere handler admitted the Alhaarth entire’s racing career could now be over as a result.

“It is a very minor injury but it is appalling timing,” said Balding.

“The injury rules him out for the remainder of the year and we have not decided what happens after that, including retiring him to stud.”

Phoenix Reach, who has amassed £1.97m in prize money after winning five of his 14 starts, was last seen on a racecourse finishing 10th behind Azamour in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

Clare Hills faces a crucial workout today as connections try to decide which of three races the filly should tackle.

The daughter of Orpen is entered for the 32Red.com Sirenia Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday as well as the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

Trainer Karl Burke has also put her in the Group Three Prix d’Arenberg at Chantilly next Wednesday.

“She’s in on Saturday at Newmarket, Ireland on Sunday and Chantilly next week,” he said.

“She’s going to work tomorrow morning and we will make a decision after that, but I favour France.”

Clare Hills won the Listed Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley earlier in the season beating subsequent Cherry Hinton Stakes heroine Donna Blini.

Burke’s charge was last seen when finishing a decent fourth behind 1000 Guineas favourite Flashy Wings in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot at York.