Verdict
The drop in distance is a bit of a worry for supporters of Scottish Vespers, who was staying on at the end of 1m3f at Lingfield and, at the likely odds, we prefer PALUS SAN MARCO. Peter Chapple-Hyam's gelding ran the useful Last Shadow to a length-and-a-quarter at Nottingham in April and there's no reason why he won't handle this quicker surface. The others appear to have plenty to find though the four-year-old Schoolmaster showed promise on his reappearance at Folkestone and makes more appeal than the disappointing Authenication.
Formwatch
Schoolmaster 20-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, disputing 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Estedaama (8-4) at Folkestone 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
Ice Apple Iceman filly out of Star Apple.
Kampai 50-1 (8-12) Slowly away, outpaced and always in rear, last of 8, 34l behind Semmsu (9-1) at Folkestone 7f mdn stks (5) gs in Sep.
Authentication 5-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, tailed off, last of 4, 49l behind Artisan (9-9) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stks (5) fbs in Feb.
Palus San Marco (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, challenged from over 2f out, led and hung left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Last Shadow (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) sft in Apr.
Scottish Vespers (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) In touch, pushed along halfway, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden to challenge winner entering final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Clowance Estate (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gf in May.
Riviera Romance 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, every chance 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 15, 17l behind Valiant Girl (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo fll stks (5) gd in Jun.
Soho Spirit 50-1 (8-12) Led, hung right bend soon after start, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 16l behind Lashyn (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in May.
