steady at start, held up behind leaders, headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader, ridden along 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
made all, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong
held up in rear, effort halfway, no impression
Sweet Pickle can take this contest although Dasheena and Cha Cha Cha will not prove easy opposition in the slightest. Jim Boyle's mare won nicely at the course on Monday and if she is the mood for battle, she could easily score again. Dasheena was in great form in December but looks to have gone off the boil of late. Connections clearly hope that a step up in trip can reawaken her enthusiasm for the task. Cha Cha Cha was not disgraced on all-weather introduction but this is a baptism of fire against hardened handicappers. Flores Sea has a couple of questions to answer at this grade. Seneschal is perfectly able although can hinder his chances with the odd tardy start. Sweet Pickle isn't the most bombproof of selections to follow up but she is in form, handles the surface and that could be enough to succeed here.
Sweet Pickle 6-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Grand Palace (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Cha Cha Cha 6-1 (9-4) Soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Teasing (9-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Flores Sea (USA) 4-1 (9-1) Chased leader over 1f, soon ridden, no impression final 2f, 4th of 5, 6l behind Sweet Pickle (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Seneschal 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 8th of 14, 5l behind Smokin Joe (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Dasheena 10-3 (8-11) Slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Sweet Pickle (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
