towards rear, soon outpaced, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
dwelt, led halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
with leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed final furlong, one pace
In the maiden, Imprimis Tagula is selected ahead of Rann Na Cille and Dramatic. Although rated only 60, the Alan Bailey-trained Imprimis Tagula showed sufficient improvement in form when tried on the all-weather in December to warrant respect in a modest Southwell maiden. The possible downside is that he has yet to race on today's surface. Popolo and Rann Na Cille arguably hold a similar, if not better, level of form and, indeed, credentials for this race and the latter, whose course and distance second here last time earned her a rating of 67, looks a major player today. Finally, it would not entirely be a surprise if the very well-bred Sir Mark Prescott-trained runner Dramatic showed improvement from his first two runs but, for today, we will side with Imprimis Tagula.
Dramatic 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Going Skint (9-13) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Jan.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Milson's Point (7-13) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Mangano 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Ronnie Howe (9-3) at Southwell 5f 3yo mdn aut (5) fbs.
The Tinker Man 33-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 8, 11l behind Bernasconi (8-12) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Blissfully 100-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 29l behind Doric Charm (8-13) at Nottingham 6f nov fll stk (5) sft in Oct.
Enflame Mtoto filly, half-sister to 1m1f & 1m2f winner Diamond Flame.
Popolo (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Pulled hard, tracked leader after 2f, effort over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, 5th of 14, 6l behind Satyricon (9-1) at Kempton 7f 3yo app hcp (6) pol.
Rann Na Cille (IRE) 11-2 (8-4) Always prominent, led over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Bernasconi (8-12) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs.