held up in touch, headway 3 out, led on bit 2 out, pushed out run-in
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, ridden and effort approaching last, kept on to chase winner run-in
held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from next
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and effort, weakening when mistake last
soon tracking leaders, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, no extra run-in
Dancing Pearl finally got back to winning ways last time and is selected to follow up, with Avitta, Feel The Pride and Cosmic Case the principal dangers. Dancing Pearl was ridden for the first time by Tony McCoy when chasing home Kadara at Sandown in January, and then went one better at Doncaster in March. She has not been idle since then, having turned out on the Flat at Leicester and Haydock this month, and so will lack for nothing in fitness. The switch back to hurdles will be in her favour and with the champion back on board, the mare has solid claims. Avitta is better off at the weights with the selection on Doncaster running but has to improve a lot to turn the tables, not to mention the fact that she needs to brush up her jumping. Feel The Pride has to give weight away all round but did score over the track and trip in November and has kept good company since. She should be in the shake-up as well and makes more appeal than the rest. For the winner we return to Dancing Pearl.
