Accordion In Tune For Galway

Accordion Etoile could be heading for the Galway Festival after returning to the track at Tipperary yesterday to record back-to-back successes in the betdaq.com Hurdle.

Paul Nolan´s six-year-old is now 5-1 with Cashmans for the Guinness Galway Handicap Hurdle on July 28.

He did all that was required yesterday, although he was not as impressive as he had been last year when he slammed Grimes by six lengths.

Sent off the 1-3 favourite, Accordion Etoile was settled in fourth place by John Cullen for much of the two-mile contest, newly updated to Grade Three status.

Red Square Lady took it up turning for home, with Accordion Etoile moving smoothly into contention, but he had to be asked a question or two before the final flight and his acceleration was not immediate on his first run since the Aintree Festival.

He eventually moved up a gear to score comfortably enough by a length and a half.

Nolan said: 'John said he was full of running coming to the last and would be better suited by a better race.

'I´m delighted he´s won one of his big races for the season. I´m not sure about the Galway Hurdle yet. We´ll make a decision over the next few days.

'He has schooled brilliantly over fences but I wouldn´t be sure about novice chasing - it depends what the other top hurdlers do.

'He could run in a novice chase in Galway if he doesn´t go for the Hurdle.'

(C) PA Sport