tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, never dangerous
in touch, weakened well over 1f out
held up, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, soon pushed along, chased leaders over 3f out, stayed on well to lead towards finish
A case can be made for The City Kid but Cerebus and Sweet Pickle are taken to fight out the finish with the latter expected to triumph. She's clearly in rude health at present having won here over 6 furlongs last week before going close over 7 last Thursday. The eventual winner enjoyed the run of the race that day and she can go one better with Seb Sanders taking over in the saddle. Cerebus has an absence to overcome but has run well enough fresh in the past for that not to be a concern. Like the selection, she has an excellent record here and should be competitive from her current mark; however, our vote goes to the in-form Sweet Pickle.
Sweet Pickle 7-4jt-fav (9-5) Held up behind leaders, headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Flores Sea (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Cerebus 16-1 (8-9) Made all, ridden 3f out, kept on well, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Hotham (9-3) by a nk, 10 ran.
Fustaan (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Perfect Practice (8-2) at Kempton 1m fll hcp (6) pol.
The City Kid (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Towards rear, ran on strongly final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Cabourg (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Capania (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, saddle soon slipped, prominent after 1f, weakened well over 2f out, 8th of 9, 13l behind Hatch A Plan (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
On The Map 33-1 (8-12) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 11l behind Councellor (9-3) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Sophia Gardens 7-1 (9-2) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden and no impression final 2f, 8th of 10, 7l behind King After (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcap (6) pol in Dec.