Accordion Etoile Set To Return At Punchestown On Sunday Accordion Etoile, currently one of the ante-post favourites for the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in March, is one of 13 entries received for the Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Steeplechase (Grade 2) at Punchestown on Sunday. Successful in a novice event at Cheltenham last November, Accordion Etoile may well renew rivalry with Noel Meade's Watson Lake, who defeated him on his chasing debut at Limerick last October. In a high class contest other notable entries are the John Joseph Murphy-trained Newmill, recent winner of the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles, while the Dessie Hughes-trained Central House will be bidding to put a disappointing recent run at Fairyhouse behind him. Michael Hourigan's Hi Cloy, winner of the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown last December, is also engaged as is the Jim Dreaper-trained Jim, who finished second on that occasion. Other interesting entries are Charlie Swan's Ground Ball, Arthur Moore's Tiger Cry and Willie Mullins' Mossy Green in what should be a fascinating affair. On the same card, the Byrne Group Plc Novice Hurdle has attracted 9 entries headed by the Noel Meade-trained Iktitaf. Winner of the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December, he was forced to miss the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown earlier this month due to a late injury and will be strongly fancied to enhance his Cheltenham claims on Sunday. Tommy Stack's recent Cork winner, Tolpuddle, should be capable of making his presence felt while John Carr's Sublimity was a good winner at Leopardstown over Christmas and has plenty of potential. Also among the entries are the Charles Byrnes trained Mounthenry, already a three time winner over hurdles this season and John Kiely's Ceeawayhome who chases a hat-trick of wins after victories at Cork and at Punchestown in recent weeks. The first of eight races is off at 1.10 pm and there is a Jackpot Pool guaranteed for ?15,000.
