It was soft ground and this sort of company when FOL HOLLOW last won back in July at Catterick. He'll prove the one to beat if running anywhere near that form on his return to action as Dandy Nicholls' charge is the highest rated, though Dark Ages is weighted to finish upsides on today's terms. The latter has been placed in testing ground and looks the chief threat ahead of Whiskey Junction, who can only boast one victory since 2009 and that was on the Polytrack. Pharoh Jake and Mi Regalo have little chance at the weights and are hard to fancy.
Fol Hollow (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) In rear, never on terms, 8th of 11, 9l behind Lucky Art (8-12) at Kempton 5f clm stks (5) pol in Oct.
Mi Regalo 14-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Running Mate (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Mar.
Pharoh Jake 16-1 (9-7) Pushed right start, chased leading pair, effort on inside to lead over 1f out, ridden and headed 1f out, outpaced and no chance with leading duo inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Gin Twist (8-9) at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) pol.
Whiskey Junction 20-1 (9-5) Led until over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, rallied approaching final furlong, soon lost place, 8th of 12, 6l behind Caldermud (9-7) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Dark Ages (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Rougini (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
