Accordion Etoile is in sparkling form ahead of his run in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.
Currently heading the market with Racing Demon at around 5-1, last season’s Champion Hurdle fourth is showing trainer Paul Nolan all the right signs ahead of the Championship event.
"Everything is going to plan, touch wood," said the County Wexford handler.
"He’s in good shape, he’s just got a couple more serious workouts planned before the Arkle and hopefully he will come through those unscathed.
"So far we couldn’t be happier with him and we are just praying that it’s good ground.
"If we were to have a very wet Cheltenham it would dent our confidence a bit but otherwise he goes there with a big chance.
"He would still probably run if it came up soft though, because he has been trained for a year with just one race in mind so Liverpool isn’t an alternative at this stage.
"We have left him in the Queen Mother but the Arkle is the number one choice.
"He has shown on his last couple of runs that he has handled the softer ground a lot better than he used to so I couldn’t see him bypassing Cheltenham if he was fit and well."
