led, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish, no extra
mid-division, brief effort 2f out, no impression
prominent, edged right and effort 2f out, no extra final furlong
missed break, always behind
in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, np extra final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
towards rear, outpaced halfway, kept on final furlong
mid-division, never better
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead near finish
There are plenty of recent winners in this and it is tricky but Pickering gets the call ahead of Cha Cha Cha and Morinqua. Morinqua may have got the run of things at Nottingham last time although she is not ruled out today, but Pickering was not beaten far from his revised mark at Ripon last time, having won the time before and he looks poised to go well. Majestic Cheer has three lengths to find on that form and is just two pounds better off over today's shorter trip. Grange Lili and New York Oscar have to build on all-weather efforts, although the latter gets the headgear applied today. Cha Cha Cha showed attitude but, also, plenty of ability when scoring on her debut and is very interesting. Picture Frame was behind Pickering at Nottingham but is nine pounds better off for three-and-three-quarter lengths. The others, in our view, need to improve if they are to feature with, once again, the vote going to Pickering.
Morinqua (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) won at Nottingham 5f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gf beating Aquilegia (9-3) by 2l, 14 ran.
Pickering 6-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden along halfway, one pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Baltimore Jack (9-1) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Majestic Cheer 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, driven approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Baltimore Jack (9-1) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Cha Cha Cha 4-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Pontefract 6f 3yo mdn fll (5) gd beating Support Fund (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ronnie Howe 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Valery Borzov (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Mandurah (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 3l behind Jojesse (9-3) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Grange Lili (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Always behind, never a factor, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ashes (9-3) at W'hampton 5f fll hcp (5) pol.
Equuleus Pictor 3-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, outpaced 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Final Dynasty (8-12) at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Sept.
