'He's a lot tougher than he's ever been' - Docpickedme warms up for Great Yorkshire Chase title defence

Docpickedme teed up a return to the track to defend his Great Yorkshire Chase title next month when enhancing his fine course record in the 3m handicap chase.

The Richard Hobson-trained nine-year-old won Doncaster's most prestigious chase last season, and went one place better than in this race a year ago with a hard-fought victory under Charlie Maggs.

It was a third track success for Docpickedme, who will bid to become just the second horse to win back-to-back Great Yorkshire Chases next.

Hobson told Sky Sports Racing: "That was fantastic. The ground and the fence being out weren't ideal and I thought grabbing a place would be good, but he ground it out. He seems a lot tougher than he's ever been.

"He'll be back for the Great Yorkshire now, as it's about six weeks away. We didn't want to run him again quickly after Newcastle last time, but we didn't want to go to Wetherby for the Rowland Meyrick and felt this was the place to take a chance and roll the dice."

Lavida lands another Listed prize

Lavida Adiva picked up her second Listed victory when causing a minor surprise in the 3m mares' hurdle. The Ruth Jefferson-trained six-year-old previously won at the same level at Kelso in March.

Durrell landmark

Tristan Durrell rode out his claim on 13-8 joint favourite Real Quartz for his boss and leading trainer Dan Skelton in the 2m3½f novice hurdle, and Oscar Palmer took his strike-rate this season to almost 30 per cent on Romeo Brown for Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith in the 3m½f handicap hurdle.

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