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Percussion to hit the right note at Aintree

November 2024

Percussion can make it third time lucky in the BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase at Aintree on Saturday.

There is no doubt that even now the Grand National fences are an acquired taste and Laura Morgan's charge certainly seems to enjoy the test, having placed on each of his four runs over the course.

Third in this 4200m contest in 2022, Percussion went on to fill the same position in the Becher Chase and took in both races again last term, coming off second best to Gesskille in the Grand Sefton and third to Chambard in the Becher.

He looks more suited by the shorter trip, an impression that was underlined when filling the runner-up spot in Uttoxeter's Summer Cup over 5200m back in June.

While not quite so smart over regulation fences, Percussion is a force to be reckoned with here and has shown in the past he can handle pretty much any type of ground.

Harbour Lake is the choice in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle, with the Alan King-trained gelding finding his niche in these 4800m contests.

After having to settle for third at Haydock in May when last seen, Harbour Lake is among the leading lights again.

His stablemate Paradias is likely to be a much longer price for his assignment in the Virgin Bet November Handicap at Doncaster.

The five-year-old has not won in five Flat starts this term but came close to a notable success at Epsom on Oaks day and his latest fifth on Town Moor can be upgraded as he was a bit short of room at one point before staying on all the way to the line over 2000m.

Paradias has only had a handful of runs at this distance of 2400m but this dual-purpose performer might now require a test such as this.

Danielle served it up to the admirable Max Vega in the St Simon Stakes last time, beaten just 1.25-lengths on really deep ground at Newbury.

Those were the optimum conditions for the winner and while Danielle was in receipt of a fair chunk of weight, it was still a good run from the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly.

She drops slightly in class to Listed level for the Virgin Bet Irish EBF Gillies Fillies' Stakes and the conditions of the race are in her favour.

Zoum Zoum can add a second Listed win to his CV in the Livescore Bet Wentworth Stakes.

He won in that company as a juvenile and finished second in the Greenham on his seasonal bow but struggled to make his mark in the summer before roaring back to form with a handicap win on Town Moor when last seen. Autumn ground and a sprint trip seem to be the making of him.

Lord Accord can bring up his hat-trick in the 63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton.

Quicker conditions are crucial for him and he has been thriving during recent month, hacking up by 16 lengths at Sedgefield in September and by the same distance at this track last month. - Press Association

He is off an 11-point higher mark now but given he prevailed from a perch of 136 in his novice days, his new mark may not be out of reach.

SELECTIONS:

AINTREE: 14.20 Mister Meggit, 14.55 Haiti Couleurs, 15.30 Harbour Lake, 16.05 Hunter Legend, 16.40 PERCUSSION (NAP), 17.15 Camarrate, 17.50 Poppys On Fire.

CHELMSFORD: 18.30 Elements Of Fire, 19.00 No Saint, 19.30 Primrose Maid, 20.00 Desert Champion, 20.30 Impatiently, 21.00 Startling, 21.30 Crimson Sand, 22.00 Hunters Run, 22.30 Intricacy.

DONCASTER: 13.45 Temper Trap, 14.15 Beauty Choice, 14.50 Humam, 15.20 Zoum Zoum, 16.00 Art Design, 16.35 Trilby, 17.10 Danielle, 17.45 Paradias.

GOWRAN: 13.52 Enjoy The Dream, 14.27 Be Fierce, 15.02 Railway Hurricane, 15.37 Madam Jess, 16.12 But What, 16.47 Serienmond, 17.22 Delias Pet, 17.57 Cafe Del Mar.

KELSO: 13.10 Dedicated Hero, 13.38 Chase A Fortune, 14.07 Forged Well, 14.42 Five Dollar Fine, 15.15 Starlyte, 15.52 Smart Bucks.

WINCANTON: 14.35 Sorceleur, 15.09 Tedley, 15.45 Bethpage, 16.23 Insurrection, 16.55 Brentford Hope, 17.30 Lord Accord, 18.05 The Sainted Canary.

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