Accordion Etoile recorded back-to-back successes in the betdaq.com Hurdle at Tipperary today and could now be heading for the Galway Festival.
Paul Nolan's six-year-old is 5-1 for the Galway Hurdle on July 28th.
He did all that was required this afternoon, although he was not as impressive as he was last year when slamming Grimes by six lengths.
Sent off the 1-3 favourite, Accordion Etoile was settled in fourth by John Cullen. Anno Jubilo made the running before being overtaken by Red Square Lady turning for home.
Accordion Etoile was moving into contention but had to be asked a question or two before the final flight and his acceleration was not immediate.
But, on his first run since the Aintree Festival, the gelding moved up a gear to score comfortably by a length-and-a-half from Red Square Lady and Calorando.
Nolan said: "He is a much more relaxed horse this year. 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 see how he is in the morning and 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."
Accordion Etoile books Galway ticket
PA