Geraghty gets plum spare in Arkle

Barry Geraghty will take the ride on leading Irish Independent Arkle Trophy hope Accordion Etoile at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.

The crack pilot comes in for the mount after the seven-year-old’s regular rider John Cullen lost his fight to be fit for the big meeting.

Cullen, who has ridden the Paul Nolan-trained gelding to seven of his eight career wins, injured his left shoulder in a fall at Thurles last month.

“John has elected to give himself some more time to recover which means Barry will ride,” Nolan told PA Sport.

“He came down to school the horse last Monday and all went well so please God they get on well in the race.

“So far, so good. Things have gone well with his preparation and while the rain would be a negative, as long as it is good ground I am not going to complain.”

Cullen went to see Dr Tadhg O’Sullivan at Waterford Hospital for a progress report this afternoon, but he did not get the news he wanted to hear.

“I didn’t get on great. I won’t make Cheltenham,” he said. “I’m sick – I was really looking forward to it. I have to go for another check-up a fortnight on Monday.”