held up in touch, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up behind in touch, struggling 8th, lost touch 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, never on terms, weakened before last
raced keenly, tracked leader, outpaced in 3rd before 2 out, rallied approaching last, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no impression
tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, soon challenged, led between last 2, ridden clear flat
led, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no impression flat, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders on inside, lost place and ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
This is a stiff track and BRASS MONKEY's proven stamina should be an asset. He overcame the odds-on Easy Beesy at Stratford eight days ago and should be capable of defying an additional 7lb in this grade. Blue Top has been in good form on the Flat lately and is unexposed over hurdles. He won't be far away if staying the longer trip while Rigolo Ville has claims on his third at Warwick in March but it's difficult to make a case for many of the others.
Blue Top 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner before 4th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 49l behind Counsel (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f am nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Teenage Dream (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) Towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, hampered 2 out, 7th of 10, 33l behind Anna's Arch (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Rigolo Ville (FR) 14-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, driven before last, stayed on to modest 5th run-in, 5th of 17, 12l behind Invicta Lake (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
The Young Master 20-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 9th of 11, 38l behind Hail Tiberius (10-9) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct.
Brass Monkey (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, led approaching next, not fluent 6th, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, won at Stratford 2m 6f am hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Oct beating Easy Beesy (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Finmerello 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place before 4th, effort after 7th, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 8, 41l behind As I Am (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Aug.
Nurse Brace 2-1 (10-0) Bhnd til gd hdwy 4 out; ev ch when mist last; nt rec, 3rd of 12, 2l behind War Of The World (12-0) at Meynell & South Staffordshire 2m 4f ptp gd in Jun.
