led, ridden, headed over 2f out, one pace
slowly into stride, joined leaders after 2f, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
pulled hard, held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
with leaders, ridden, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
soon pushed along in rear, eased over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind
slowly into stride, keen, held up, some headway 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on
El Palmar recorded one of his two career wins over this course and distance and he could be the value call here with Pending and Kalani Star rated as the main dangers. The selection has been tried over a variety of trips and has been running in some better races than this of late. He has not been disgraced and the return to a mile combined with this drop in grade could be enough to see him get his head in front again. Pending may have found 7f too sharp last time on this track as he travelled well without finding much. This extra furlong should suit and he could well give our selection plenty to think about. Kalani Star was returning from a break so he may have needed the run when well beaten over 7f here last time. He would have claims on the pick of his form and is another to consider with that pipe opener under his belt. Vancouver Gold in eased in grade so can't be dismissed, but in an open contest for the winner we will return to El Palmar.
High Swainston 7-1 (8-12) Chased winner, every chance from over 1f out, not quicken inside last, 2nd of 13, nk behind Golden Spectrum (9-2) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Pending (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-13) Held up, smooth progress 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Tyzack (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Dexileos (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Raced wide, prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Crusoe (9-3) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs.
El Palmar 8-1 (8-10) In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Zorn (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Quincannon (USA) 9-2 (9-8) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Distant Country (9-7) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol.
Pawn In Life (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Soon pushed along in rear, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Pauline's Prince (8-10) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs.
Vancouver Gold (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Close up over 5f, faded, 9th of 11, 10l behind Pauline's Prince (8-10) at Southwell 1m app hcp (6) fbs.
Tirol Livit (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) In touch, led 6f out, clear over 2f out, headed inside last, no extra, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Katie Lawson (8-13) at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn hcp (6) fbs in Feb.