tracked leading pair, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and behind, no chance with leaders from next
tracked leader, led after 10th, 1 length clear and driven last, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
held up in 4th, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on and chance approaching last, no extra flat
held up in rear, switched outside and in touch 10th, challenged 3 out, hit next, soon hard driven, 1 length down when switched right approaching last, ridden and stayed on to lead narrowly towards finish
led, headed after 10th, soon ridden and lost place, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
Brass Monkey has found his found in no uncertain terms of late and was only just denied an 18-day hat-trick at Fontwell over the weekend. He clearly has to be taken very seriously in his current mood and his yard does have winners here. However, BURNS NIGHT does give the impression that he has plenty more to offer over timber and has hitherto delivered his best hurdling efforts on tight tracks. Choosing between the two isn't straightforward but the Kirby charge may just have greater scope for progress and is narrowly preferred. Safferano enjoyed his success around Towcester but will obviously find Fakenham a totally different proposition. Well beaten since that Towcester triumph, he'll stay the trip and rates a potential danger if delivering his best.
Minella Ranger (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, jumped right 1st, bad mistake and unseated rider next, in a race won by Jayandbee (11-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Aug, 8 ran.
Burns Night 7-2fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led going well next, ridden and headed flat, unable to quicken, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Artic Night (10-8) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Sep.
Killegney 25-1 (10-7) Led and disputed, headed after 4th, dropped towards rear halfway, pulled up before 5 out, in a race won by Ocean Bright (10-8) at Bellewstown 3m hcp hdl 80-109 gf in Jul, 16 ran.
Safferano (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up in rear, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Easy Beesy (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f (5) sft in Oct.
Why Always Me (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, lost touch and struggling before 5th, behind and no chance when hampered 6th and next, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Parsnip Pete (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Brass Monkey (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 8th, pressed last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind The Young Master (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy.
