last pair, behind and struggling from halfway, eased final furlong
steadied and switched left start, took keen hold in last pair, hung badly left and rider unable to ride effectively from 3f out, stayed on into 3rd well inside final furlong, nearest finish but never able to challenge
slowly into stride, soon recovered tracking leading pair, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, driven out
led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner until inside final furlong, weakened well inside final furlong
tracked leading trio, headway into 3rd over 3f out, ridden and stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner
held up off the pace in 5th, kept on same pace and no impression inside final furlong
BOLLIHOPE won three times over course and distance last year including his latest start in November. He can confirm superiority with third-placed L'inganno Felice, who had earlier finished in front of Storm King here. Polar Forest has not threatened since winning at the track in November and Kicking The Can was well beaten back in a handicap last time having won a maiden over track and trip earlier. All You has not raced since June and remains 4lb higher than an earlier win at Beverley.
All You (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Muhaafiz (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Bollihope 9-2 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly to lead post, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Taopix (8-12) by ns, 9 ran.
Kicking The Can (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Airton (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
L'Inganno Felice (FR) 4-1 (9-7) In touch, headway halfway, close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Bollihope (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Polar Forest 10-1 (9-2) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Isharah (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Siren's Cove 13-2 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Stamford Raffles (9-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Storm King 3-1jfav (9-7) Took keen hold and hung right most of way, tracked leaders, pulled way up to lead 6f out, headed over 3f out, lost 2nd 3f out, went 2nd again 2f out, ridden and hung right final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Graceful James (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
