Fire Attack

Fire Attack put up a really good performance to finish second in the Grade 3 Monksfield Hurdle. Settled back in the field from flagfall by Mark Walsh, he was keen enough in behind runners early on. Sixth of the seven runners as they passed the stands with a circuit to go, his rider allowed him move up on the outside of his field in the back straight, and he moved to the front as they jumped the fifth last flight. He led across the top of the track and into the home straight, and he saw off Lieutenant Command and Farouk D’Alene over the second last flight. He travelled well in front to the final obstacle, and he jumped it well, but he was just collared inside the final 50 yards by Fakiera.

It was still a really good run by Joseph O’Brien’s horse. Winner of a bumper at Limerick on his racecourse debut last December, when he beat a good horse in Julies Stowaway, the Gigginstown House horse was just beaten by Farouk D’Alene in a bumper at Navan in February on his only other run last season. It was significant that connections were happy to allow him take his chance in a Grade 3 contest on his hurdling debut, against Farouk D’Alene again, instead of in a maiden, and he proved that he belonged in graded company all right. His jumping was good and he travelled like a good horse through his race before his early exertions and lack of a recent run probably took their toll. He was entered too in the Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday, he is obviously held in high regard, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.

Navan, 22^nd November 2020