chased leader, led before 3 out, headed next, weakened into 4th flat
chased leaders, jumped right 3rd, ridden and lost place before next, last and behind 6th, pulled up before 7th
chased leaders, not much room 3rd, went 2nd travelling well before 3 out, led next, driven and headed flat, no impression towards finish
towards rear, ridden 4th, soon well behind
chasing leaders 2nd, jumped slowly 6th, ridden and lost place next, soon well behind, pulled up before last
chased leaders until 1st, not fluent 3rd, ridden and behind 5th
raced freely, set good gallop, headed before 3 out, weakened before next
towards rear, headway 4th, 3rd 3 out, went 2nd last, led flat, edged left, driven out
in rear, modest 6th when mistake 7th, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, never involved
The Grey Taylor just about deserves his position at the head of the weights on his overall profile but FULL SHIFT is a totally different proposition on better ground, like so many of the Henderson string. He proved that was case when improving significantly on this season's previous efforts to oblige at the King George meeting on Boxing Day and should relish forecast conditions and defy an 8lb rise. The remainder have some sort of chance but the one to note is Got The Nac who could well get involved if handling this quicker ground. He's on the upgrade and represents a predominantly Flat yard which is enjoying success with a select band of jumpers.
The Grey Taylor (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) Led, driven and headed when not fluent last, held by winner when not much room and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Baltimore Rock (11-8) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Full Shift (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, chased leader 4 out, led soon after 3 out, ridden and joined last, found extra towards finish, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Bekkensfirth (10-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Yorkist (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 21l behind Gardefort (11-0) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Mistake 1st and reminder, soon chased leaders, fell 2nd, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp hvy in Jan.
My Brother Sylvest 33-1 (10-7) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Winning Spark (10-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Aye Well 11-2 (11-12) Led to 3rd, tracked leaders, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 7, 27 1/4l behind Star Presenter (10-7) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Got The Nac (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Jumped well, pulled hard, headway to lead after 2nd, made rest, clear before 2 out, eased near finish, unchallenged, won at Newcastle 2m (4) hvy in Dec beating Special Catch (10-13) by 6l, 6 ran.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear on outer, pushed along before 6th, weakened from 5 out, 8th of 10, 19l behind Dandridge (10-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 10-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, driven to challenge 3 out, no extra after last, 3rd of 11, 8 1/2l behind Indian Temple (10-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
