RACING Cheltenham report Accordion Etoile staked an early championship claim with an impressive success at Cheltenham yesterday as old hand Rooster Booster showed he still has plenty to give in fourth place on his return to action.

Time may tell that the 2003 Champion Hurdle hero was faced with an impossible task in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle in attempting to give 20lb to a stylish winner who is half his age.

Accordion Etoile certainly did everything with ease en route to beating Westender by three lengths.

John Cullen was always travelling with supreme confidence on the Paul Nolan-trained five-year-old and there was nothing going better with two to jump.

Switched to the stands side in the home straight, the 100 to 30 favourite quickened nicely clear without being asked to extend himself too much.

Westender rallied under Tony McCoy to regain second close home from Perouse, with Rooster Booster never nearer in fourth but beaten only a handful of lengths after a mistake at the second-last flight briefly cost him momentum.

William Hill go 14 to 1 from 33s about the winner for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle back at Cheltenham next March, with Victor Chandler the same price from 20s and Coral 12 to 1 from 40 to 1.

Ladbrokes, however, took the remarkable step of making him their new 6 to 1 favourite.

Wexford-based trainer Nolan believes his charge will be a live contender. He said: "He beat Harchibald a long way in really soft ground (at Tipperary in October) and even though Harchibald wouldn't have liked that ground, I couldn't help but feel a bit more confident when I saw him win (Harchibald) just now at Punchestown.

"You've got to be realistic - it was only a handicap and he had 10st 6lb, but I think he could be a genuine Champion Hurdle contender. I don't think anything could beat Solerina if it came up really soft, but if it was good or good-to-firm then I'd say he has a real chance.

"He has so much speed and it was great to see him travelling so well throughout the race - in fact I think John was a bit cheeky on him.

"I'd like to take him to Leopardstown at Christmas, provided it's not too soft, and then the Champion Hurdle will be the aim."

In contrast to shying away from the pressures that having a smart horse in the stable brings, Nolan is relishing the challenge.

"It's my shop window getting a nice horse, and we have recently bought his half-brother and half-sister, so there are some exciting times ahead," he said.

"When you have a good one, everybody wants to know how he is and where he's running, and it's nice to be part of that."

Nolan has a string of about 60, and in fact Accordion Etoile is not his only star as he also handles Cloone River, currently second favourite for the Arkle Trophy.

Cullen seconded the impression that Accordion Etoile, who was having only his seventh race over hurdles, is a horse with considerable talent.

"He is a very good horse," said the rider. "I walked the track this morning and I knew the ground was way better on the outside, so I kept wide most of the way.

"He really, really hurdled well, I have never ridden a hurdler like him. The second hurdle down the hill, he was outside the wings at it and I nearly got him there too soon. He was very good."

Westender emerged with plenty of credit giving the winner 11lb and owner Matt Archer, having already enjoyed a winner on the afternoon, smiled: "It's been a really good day.

"His best effort last year was over two and a half miles at Aintree so you could argue that two miles is on the sharp side for him these days.

"He really responds to AP, who gave him a cracking ride, and he was staying on well at the finish."