Accordion waltzes to win
Paul Nolan appears to have another useful recruit on his hands as French Accordion waltzed to victory in the Harrmack Developments Fortria Chase.
The seven-year-old was winning for the fourth time on the bounce but this Grade Two win certainly represents a career-best performance for the full brother of stablemate Accordion Etoile.
John Cullen settled his mount just off the fierce gallop set by Kahuna and had no trouble quickening to the front two fences from home.
The well-fancied Central House could not go with him as Nolan’s 11-8 joint-favourite left him in his wake.
Kahuna stayed on for second, 14 lengths in arrears.
Nolan said: “The horse had a bruised foot about 10 days ago and missed some work.
“At the entry stage, the plan was even not to run.
“But realising it was going to be small field I just thought ’if we’re not in it, we can’t win it’.
“He loves good ground, jumps well and should stay at least two and a half miles.
“The plan at the moment is to run in the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse, providing the ground is no worse than good to yielding.”
French Accordion has been installed by Irish firm Cashmans as a 20-1 chance for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.
