held up 5th, 4th from 6th, hit 4 out, driven and outpaced from next
took keen hold early, held up in 4th until 6th, soon weakened and behind, tailed off
chased leading pair, went right 1st, went right again and lost place next, dropped to rear 4th, tailed off
chased winner throughout, ridden and no impression from 2 out
tracked leading pair 2nd, pushed along before 4 out, challenging for 2nd when bumped 3 out, plugged on same pace from next
made all, went left 4 out, clear when not fluent 2 out, eased in closing stages, unchallenged
always behind, tailed off and pulled up last
THE GREY TAYLOR (NAP) jumped well in the main on his chasing bow at Wetherby, only tiring in the closing stages as lack of condition told. He has a lot more scope than Silk Hall, who has been placed a couple of times over fences but is getting a bit long in the tooth. It was heavy ground when Alto Des Mottes recorded his only win over hurdles at Hexham in May but former pointer Vayland could figure on his first start over the larger obstacles and Special Wells will have had plenty of schooling and could make a better chaser than hurdler. Flat winner Barren Brook is best watched as he didn't take to hurdling.
Alto Des Mottes (FR) 1-5fav (11-0) Made most, joined after 4th, drew clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Hexham 3m mdn (5) hvy in May beating Harleys Max (11-0) by 37l, 4 ran.
Barren Brook 13-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 8th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Dual Mac (9-7) at Beverley 1m hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Duhallowcountry (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) In rear, headway before last, one pace and never dangerous, 6th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Roc De Prince (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Silk Hall (UAE) 28-1 (8-9) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, dist behind Amour de Nuit (8-13) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Special Wells 12-1 (10-3) Prominent on outside, led 6th, soon headed, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 16, dist behind Southfield Vic (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Apr.
The Grey Taylor (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Led, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before last, 4th of 6, 7l behind Twelve Roses (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Vayland 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leading trio, 3rd before 7th, 2nd before 2 out, over 1 length down last, hard ridden and kept on run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Prince Khurram (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gf in Aug.
