Etoile to run twice before Cheltenham
Rising Irish star Accordion Etoile will have no more than two races before a crack at the Smurfit Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The fast-improving five-year-old ran out the convincing winner of the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham earlier this month – when he had Rooster Booster back in fourth – but will not be seen on the racecourse again until early 2005.
“He is in great shape and will have another week off before being brought back into training with a view to possible running in mid-January,” said trainer Paul Nolan.
“He’ll have a maximum of two runs before the Champion Hurdle, once in January and then perhaps once in February but he will not be running at Christmas.”
Accordion Etoile, who chased home Solerina in the John James McManus Memorial Hurdle last month, is now the 6-1 favourite with Ladbrokes for the Champion following his easy win at Prestbury Park.
“I was delighted with his last run – all he could do was win,” Nolan continued. “We know he doesn’t do a lot in front but he came to the last on the bridle and couldn’t have done it any better.
“I know you can talk about the stop-start pace not suiting some of the horses but, three or four out, they couldn’t have been going any faster and they came down the hill flat to the boards.
“My fella handled the quick pace and jumped well off it for a very young horse. I couldn’t have been happier with his jumping and his attitude towards the race.
“If I can keep him healthy, I think he will be justified taking his chance, especially as we know he can travel and should strengthen up even more.”
