in rear, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened 2f out
led after 1f, headed 5f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and ran on
held up mid-division, one pace halfway, never dangerous
raced wide in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, kept on under pressure approaching final furlong
led 1f, remained prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
chased leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, rider dropped rein over 1f out, ridden and hung left final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
El Palmar is the pick to gain another course-and-distance victory at the expense of Supreme Salutation, Desert Fury and It Must Be Speech. El Palmar was successful in a seller here last April, and showed his best form since when second to Vancouver Gold just five days ago. That was a claimer, but this is little better and he looks poised to return to winning ways. Supreme Salutation has also been in the winner's enclosure here in the past and has run the odd good race or two over the past 12 months, but at the age of 10 does not possess any improvement. The refitting of blinkers helped Desert Fury to score here the time before last, but he failed to confirm that form over Crusoe next time when soundly beaten, so cannot be put forward with any confidence. If they back the Bastiman inmate though, take note. It Must Be Speech has knocked on the door on more than one occasion but is yet another that you would not put the mortgage on, and on recent form El Palmar has to be the one.
Sriology (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, switched right 2f out, kept on, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 8l behind Pauline's Prince (8-10) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs.
Supreme Salutation 9-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, effort over 1f out, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 8l behind Kumakawa (8-1) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
El Palmar 7-1 (9-7) With leaders, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Vancouver Gold (9-6) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs.
Colonel Bilko (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Pushed along over 4f out, some late headway, never near to challenge, 4th of 9, 11l behind Mossmann Gorge (10-0) at Southwell 1m 3f sll (6) fbs.
Desert Fury 11-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 7l behind Crusoe (8-11) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Zariano 13-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Golden Spectrum (9-2) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
It Must Be Speech 9-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 6th of 13, 7l behind Golden Spectrum (9-2) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Rocky Reppin 15-2 (8-11) Held up, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Wilford Maverick (9-0) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
