tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, took 2nd close home
in touch, ridden 13th, weakened 4 out
soon well behind
held up in touch, hit 6th, tracked winner next, driven 10th ridden 4 out, hit 3 out, pecked 2 out and lost 2nd close home
made virtually all, easily
held up, driven 9th, mistake next, soon beaten and pulled up before 5 out
led, headed 2nd, weakened 11th, pulled up before 5 out
CRESCENT ISLAND can set the record straight at the expense of Herecomesthetruth and Lorum Leader. Punted off the boards at Perth, the selection let down his backers by inexplicably running out at the seventh fence. Compensation awaits if he keeps his mind on the job although the price is likely to be skinny. Herecomesthetruth won two races in good style last term. He was a tad disappointing at Ayr but should be capable of jumping fences. Lorum Leader almost rescued the bookies at Market Rasen last month with a 33/1 late show. The step up in trip should be beneficial. High Ball is fit from a campaign over hurdles in the summer. Former point-to-pointer The Accordion Man has been disappointing so far. Hermano Cordobes won a handicap off 110 and shouldn't be good enough on that evidence.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 11-10fav (11-1) Held up, headway 4 out, one pace from next, 5th of 17, 8l behind Well Saved (11-3) at Bangor 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Aug.
Lorum Leader (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Soon behind, lost touch halfway, 15 lengths 4th 3 out, stayed on well from next, ridden and every chance flat, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind My Turn Now (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov chs (2) gd in Sept.
Mr Parson (IRE) 22-1 (10-0) In rear, pushed along after 11th, effort after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, led just before last, stayed on to draw clear flat, won at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Aug beating Leading Article (11-12) by 7l, 6 ran.
Crescent Island (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Tracking leading pair when ran out at the 8th in race won by Mister Gloss (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Sept, 6 ran.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) In touch, challenged 3 out, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Quws Law (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
High Ball (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, raced keenly in touch, not fluent 9th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 49l behind John Fenton (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
The Accordion Man (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led to 9th, weakened approaching next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Cullahill (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f mdn hdl (4) gd in May, 16 ran.
