led, not fluent 2nd, headed 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 6th, one pace, in 4th from 2 out
chased leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 6th to approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, ridden 6th, stayed on past beaten horses to go 3rd last
towards rear, ridden after 6th, weakened before next
mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden 6th, not fluent and weakened 3 out
held up, hampered 3rd, always behind
mid-division, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
brought down 3rd
prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden clear from last, readily
towards rear, headway after 6th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, every chance approaching 2 out, held when veered right after last and virtually pulled up
fell at 3rd
CORDAGE looks capable of defying top weight in this novices' handicap hurdle, with Honky Tonk Woman and perhaps Moonlight Music others for the short list. The selection is stepped up in trip here to 2m 4f and as one who has won over 10f on the flat he may well be able to stay this far on what is not a stiff track. Fast ground is a major plus and we'll side with him. Honky Tonk Woman will also appreciate this ground and as a 1m 4f flat winner she will definitely get home here. She remains on a competitive mark but is not easy to win with and she may have to settle for the frame. Moonlight Music has a 0-20 career record but she did go close last time on heavy ground at Stratford. The going looks to be her major issue here and the ground will probably be too quick. Eddystone looks to be next best and Pearl is not a lost cause either, but Cordage gets the vote.
Cordage (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Led, went right and not fluent 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 10, 23l behind Crouch End Flyer (9-13) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in May.
Honky Tonk Woman (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, lost place before 4 out, ridden into 6th before 2 out, soon no extra and kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 13l behind Supreme Deck (10-13) at Sligo 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 gs in Aug.
Tara Queen 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened 7th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Well Saved (11-3) at Bangor 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Aug, 17 ran.
Chunky's Choice (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Sergheyev (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 3f cnd mdn hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Sister Agnes (IRE) 11-2 (9-9) Held up, ridden after 3 out, no impression, mistake 2 out, 5th of 6, 20l behind Axinit (11-9) at N Abbot 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Aug.
Huck Finn (NZ) 16-1 (10-13) Prominent, hampered after 6th, weakened before next, 11th of 18, well behind Creinch (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Apr.
Misamon (FR) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Pocketwood (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Apr.
Humbel Cone (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, hit 11th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 6, well behind Le Forezien (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 5f chs 0-90 (5) sft in Aug.
Pearl (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) In touch, chased leader 4th until lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Monroe Gold (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Mar, 13 ran.
Eddystone (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 5th, 9th of 16, 38l behind Faith And Reason (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Hawk Gold (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression, 6th of 11, 20l behind Vintage Fabric (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Aug.
Tootsie Too 66-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden and held in 5th when unseated rider at the last in race won by Barneys Mate (11-4) at Worcester 3m amt hcp hdl (5) gf in Jul, 12 ran.
Lady Malousa 40-1 (11-6) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, close up 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 14, 26l behind Faith And Reason (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp hdl (5) gf in Aug.
Moonlight Music (IRE) 9-4fav (9-13) Helped set good gallop, led 6th, clear after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, nk behind Santera (11-4) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Aug.
