Nolan weighs up options for Etoile
Paul Nolan’s charge gained valuable experience over the Prestbury Park fences on Sunday when he recorded a short-head success over Tamarinbleu in the Independent Newspaper Novices’ Chase.
The six-year-old was left with plenty to do after a slight mistake at the penultimate fence but he stayed on strongly to lead on the post.
Afterwards he was cut to a general 5-1 favourite for the Arkle Trophy in March.
Accordion Etoile is at his best on good going and underfoot conditions will determine plans for the gelding.
“Possibly we will make a journey back,” County Wexford-based Nolan said yesterday.
“The ground more than likely won’t suit him here but if it did happen to get fine over here in January and February we might take a chance and run him here.
“But more than likely we’ll be making a visit again in preparation for March if the horse is still well.”
Reflecting on Sunday’s race, the trainer added: “It was just unfortunate at the second last when he pecked on landing more so than making a mistake and at the last he was just that little bit slow at it.
“Over the year we would love to get a bit more schooling into him.
“We planned to go to Punchestown after his run in Limerick (second to Watson Lake) but the ground was too heavy and we thought it would do more harm than good. So we went to Cheltenham on the basis of just giving him a few little pops at home.
“The pace is so much faster from the very start over fences in Cheltenham and we were worried he might just get caught off guard.
“But I thought all round I was pleased enough with his jumping.”
Meanwhile Moscow Flyer was reported to be “absolutely fine” yesterday after only his second defeat in 21 completed starts over fences at Navan on Sunday.
“He’s absolutely fine, there’s not a bother on him,” Mrs Harrington said. “I just went down to see him before he was fed and his head was over the door.
“He went out in the field and he rolled and he seems to be fine.
“The next stop will be the Tingle Creek, that’s what we are intending to do anyway. It will be great for racing because loads of horses will take him on.”
