Commonwealth Cup emerges on Matilda Picotte's agenda The Commonwealth Cup has emerged as a possible target for Matilda Picotte after her game runner-up spot in yesterday's Group 3 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown. The front-running filly was pressed halfway by Zarinsk in the extended seven-furlong assignment in Foxrock before asserting approaching the final furlong. Aidan O'Brien's Never Ending Story, the 2/1 favourite, reeled her in inside the final furlong and won going away by two and a-half lengths. Runner-up Matilda Picotte was the same distance in front of the third home. Trainer Kieran Cotter said: "We are happy but we thought we had it when she kicked. "I'd say the last 100 yards she was running on empty. I think Zarinsk took her on fairly early and she ran a little bit keen with the choke out. Maybe, on better ground they wouldn't have caught her. "There's a huge lot of positives to take from the race and a lot of solid form behind her. "I suppose we are still saying do we go up or down (in trip), but I'd imagine the Commonwealth Cup (over six furlongs) in Ascot would be a target. Whether we take in the Guineas, I don't know. I imagine the easy mile at Newmarket wouldn't be ruled out. I'd imagine long-term, she will go back (in trip). "We had everything else well beaten in the race and on better ground, I don't think they would have caught her. "We won't make any immediate plans but the future is bright for her. She has proven her class. A lesser horse would have folded up, but she dug very deep. "We knew coming here she was fit and well but you like to see it done on the track." Sioux Nation filly Matilda Picotte won a Listed race over six furlongs at Newmarket when last seen in October. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
