cheers for replying, i tried it picking every note today and got up to 150bpm still playing comfortably and about 98% accurate, and i can play it easily at more like 170bpm only picking 1 or 2 notes. as if by magic, the improved accuracy of the picking combined with making sure you just 'lift' off the 14 and dont 'pull' off removes the need to damp the Gstring at all.
i think SLYs tip of picking any legatos you use as an exercise is great for anyone who doesnt do it already.