7th-Apr-2012

14/1 about Sound Accord is bigger than it should be. Brian Ellison’s horse is 11 years old, he is the joint-old-man of the party, but he has been dropped to a mark of 116 now and that gives him a real chance again.

Of course, he is a light of former days, but he was sent off at no bigger than 12/1 for the Scottish National when he was racing off a mark of 135 (three years ago), so that gives him plenty of scope off a mark of 116. He has had his problems, he missed more or less all of the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons, and it has taken him a little while to get back on track this term, but recent signs are encouraging.

He finished third in a jumpers bumper in February on his first run for Ellison, then he stayed on well to win an admittedly lowly enough handicap chase at Huntingdon in early March off a mark of 106.

He stepped up on that performance on his latest run, when he finished second to Vamizi in a much better race at Carlisle off today’s mark of 116. The ground should have been softer than ideal for him that day, and he didn’t jump particularly well out of it, yet he still kept on well to get to within three lengths of the winner, who is good when he has his conditions, three miles, soft ground and Carlisle.

A son of Accordion, he should be much happier back on a sounder surface today. Also, Ellison’s horses are in good form, and he wears cheekpieces for the first time for his current trainer – he did wear them before when third in a Chepstow handicap for Alex Hales. Felix de Giles, who rode him to win at Huntingdon, is back on board today, and he should out-run his odds.

SOUND ACCORD WON (ADV 14/1, SP 8/1)