Nolan Aiming Etoile At Punchestown Paul Nolan is leaning towards sending Irish Independent Arkle Trophy hope Accordion Etoile to Punchestown on February 5. Although the seven-year-old is also being considered for an assignment at Naas, Nolan is '90% sure' his gelding will line up for the Byrne Group Plc Tied Cottage Chase instead. 'We are favouring the Tied as we feel Punchestown is a far better track at drying out,' the County Wexford handler explained to At The Races. 'It will be reasonable ground and, at this stage, we would love to get a run into him for experience alone.' Accordion Etoile, who also holds a Queen Mother Champion Chase entry, was last seen when winning the Independent Newspaper Novices´ Chase at Cheltenham in November and is vying for Arkle favouritism with Racing Demon.(C) PA Sport
