Accordion goes up the scale

Though he faced just four rivals, the best of which has lost his form, there was no mistaking the inherent quality of French Accordion's fourth consecutive success in the Fortria Chase at Navan yesterday. A novice rated only 96 in early September, he had since hurtled 35lb up the ratings, and this 14-length success represented a new peak. With Central House labouring, he passed Kahuna two out and coasted clear.

Paul Nolan, his trainer, implied that there could be even better to come. "The horse bruised a foot about 10 days ago and missed some work," he explained. "But realising it was going to be a small field, I just thought: 'If we're not in, we can't win.' He loves good ground, jumps well and should stay at least two and a half miles."

The Criterium de Saint-Cloud, final Group One race of the European campaign, was won by Full Of Gold, a progressive juvenile trained by Criquette Head-Maarek. The overseas raiders – New Zealand, Siberian Tiger and Tale Of Two Cities – were fourth, fifth and last of six.