Accordion Set To Stay At Home

French Accordion is set to make the leap to Grade One company in Sunday's Ballymore Properties Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse.

Although trainer Paul Nolan has left the progressive seven-year-old in Newbury's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, he would sooner not make the trip to Britain.

'More than likely he will stay at home for the Drinmore, but we will just wait and see what the weather does as the forecast varies according to different people,' he said.

'We wouldn't want to run him if it came up testing and we have still got him in the Hennessy as another option.

'I would prefer not to run him there as it's three miles and two furlongs and we don't even know if he will definitely stay that far.

'We would prefer good ground and two and a half miles against the novices.'

French Accordion ? a full-brother to the stable's high-class Accordion Etoile ? will be seeking a fifth successive win if he turns out at the weekend, having claimed a Grade Three and a Grade Two on his last couple of outings.

'We were delighted with his win in the Fortria as we thought the two miles might be a bit sharp for him but he quickened up really well, although the ground was exceptionally fast,' added Nolan.

'It is a big step up to Grade One company but he seems in good form and we hope he can make the leap.

'This might be the best ground we get until after Christmas now and we need to make sure we give him a bit of a break as we are hoping to get him ready for the Arkle.'

French Accordion is one 12 horses to stand their ground for the Drinmore, with his opposition headed by Edward O'Grady's Sky's The Limit and prolific hurdles winner Kazal.

(C) PA Sport