tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, not much room over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
held up, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on strongly under pressure, nearest finish
slowly into stride, held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, ran on to lead inside final furlong, just held on
behind, outpaced halfway, soon no impression
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up, not much room over 4f out, soon beaten
held up, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms
Loads in with chances in this tricky handicap however we will side with Sweet Pickle, with Came Back, Cool Sands and Taboor just three others with solid claims. The selection was given too much to do last time out by her regular jockey Pat Cosgrave, however she may be ridden slightly closer to the pace today and must have solid claims. Arguably best over seven furlongs, she will need a strong gallop to prevail today but there should be a decent pace with several who like to race prominently. Came Back will be up there and after his commanding performance when winning last time out, he must rate a danger although a 7lb higher mark makes life trickier. Cool Sands is ultra-consistent and should appreciate this return to six furlongs today. His stable is in fine form at present and he must rate a danger. Windy Prospect has claims from a good draw but the fact that he couldn't win a seller last time out speaks volumes. Taboor will appreciate the return to six furlongs but is hard to win with and has a wide draw so we will take him on and return to Sweet Pickle as our tentative selection.
Came Back (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) In touch, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Lucius Verrus (9-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Seneschal 12-1 (8-2) Held up, always in rear, 10th of 12, 6l behind Woodnook (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Supercast (IRE) 10-1 (8-3) Took keen hold, prominent, lost place just over 3f out, soon behind, 9th of 13, 7l behind Cornus (8-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Sweet Pickle 5-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Cerebus (8-8) at Southwell 6f fll hcp (5) fbs.
Cool Sands (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-1) Broke well, held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway on inside well over 1f out, soon switched right, ran on, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Zarabad (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
H Harrison (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 5l behind Keyaki (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Taboor (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Rowe Park (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Kempsey 20-1 (8-5) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed and outpaced inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2l behind Romany Nights (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Rogue 3-1 (9-0) Awkward start, always behind, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Tilsworth Charlie (8-12) at Bath 6f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept.
City For Conquest (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 10, 3l behind Mulberry Lad (8-11) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Windy Prospect 11-4co-fav (9-8) Towards rear, ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Owed (9-8) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Ten Prophets (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Towards rear, effort over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 10l behind Mister Incredible (8-2) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
