Racing NewsAccordion Etoile could return to Britain as part of his preparation for the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paul Nolan's charge gained valuable experience over the Prestbury Park fences on Sunday when he recorded a short-head success over Tamarinbleu. The six-year-old was left with plenty to do after a slight mistake at the penultimate fence but he stayed on strongly to lead on the post.

Accordion Etoile is at his best on good going and underfoot conditions will determine plans for the gelding. "Possibly we will make a journey back," Co Wexford-based Nolan told At The Races.

"The ground more than likely won't suit him here but if it did happen to get fine over here in January and February we might take a chance and run him here. But more than likely we'll be making a visit again in preparation for March if the horse is still well."

Reflecting on Sunday's race, the trainer added: "It was just unfortunate at the second last when he pecked on landing more so than making a mistake and at the last he was just that little bit slow at it.

"Over the year we would love to get a bit more schooling into him. We planned to go to Punchestown after his run in Limerick (second to Watson Lake) but the ground was too heavy and we thought it would do more harm than good. So we went to Cheltenham on the basis of just giving him a few little pops at home."