Arkle an option for Accordion

Paul Nolan’s progressive French Accordion is to be aimed towards the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy after enjoying a midwinter break.

The eight-year-old completed an impressive four-timer when winning in Grade Two company in November before finding the heavy ground against him the following month.

Freshened up since, French Accordion is likely to be kept under wraps until better ground appears, with Nolan eyeing a trip to Cheltenham in March.

The County Wexford trainer said: “We’ve given him a break since the Drinmore Novice Chase but he’s back in now and he’s cantering well.

“We’re just waiting with him now as plans will be geared towards March and April.

“All being well, we hope to get him to the Arkle and he’ll probably have a prep run before that, possibly over hurdles.

“There’s also Aintree, Fairyhouse and Punchestown for us to have in mind.”

French Accordion is currently available at 20-1 with most firms for the Arkle and Nolan feels the race has an open look to it at present.

“Everything is chopping and changing at the moment, even when you look at yesterday’s results (at Ascot),” he continued.

“Other than Kauto Star and a couple of others there don’t seem to be many bankers for Cheltenham. It seems very open in a lot of the championship races and a lot of the novices are beating each other.

“But often when there isn’t a word about good horses some really good ones do come out.”