Nolan Ace Set To Bypass Greatwood

French Accordion looks set to bypass a crack at the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in favour of an alternative engagement at the Paddy Power meeting.

The five-year-old was one of 31 horses confirmed today for Sunday´s Grade Three feature but trainer Paul Nolan is leaning towards running in the Anglo Irish Bank Novices´ Hurdle on Friday instead.

'We´ve confirmed him for the Greatwood Hurdle but he´s out of the handicap so it´s more than likely he will go for the novice race,' Nolan said.

'There´s a couple of good ones in the novice but we would rather be wrong with two or three horses than 10 or 12 in the other race.'

The full-brother to last year´s Greatwood winner Accordion Etoile has already won in Grade Three company having scored at Tipperary last time, and Nolan is expecting more improvement from the gelding.

'I think he´s come on a bit since that last race and he still seems to be improving now. I would say it´s 80 per cent he will run on Friday rather than Sunday,' he added.

'We thought he would need the race at Tipperary but he won and Barry Geraghty was pleased with him, so we hope he will make into a decent novice this year.'

Cheltenham regular Rooster Booster heads the confirmations for the Greatwood, a race he won in 2002 before going on to Champion Hurdle glory.

Philip Hobbs´ veteran proved his well-being when making a winning return at Huntingdon last month but he will have to shoulder top weight on Sunday.

Elite Hurdle winner Royal Shakespeare is set to make a quick reappearance for trainer Steve Gollings after his success at the weekend, while Hobbs could switch Made In Japan back to smaller obstacles after a disappointing chase campaign last season.

Lingo, sidelined by injury since winning the 2004 Tolworth Hurdle, would be an interesting runner for trainer Jonjo O´Neill and owner JP McManus if he returned from over 680 days off the track.

Admiral, an impressive winner at Chepstow last time, could represent Richard Guest, while Power Elite, Adamant Approach, Eye Candy, Blue Corrig and Masrahi complete the Irish entries.

? PA Sport