Hollies Pearl boasts an impressive string of figures before her name but did disappoint when beaten at odds-on when last seen in November. She now sports first-time blinkers and remains a mare of some potential. At First Light has progressed really well for her small yard this season but now faces her toughest task off a career-high mark. YES I DID has yet to finish out of the front three on all six starts and although finding the step up to Listed grade a bridge too far last time, she was beaten by some useful sorts and had previously impressed when scoring at Southwell. She is expected to give another solid account. Cases can also be made for Midnight Jazz, Bobs Lady Tamure and Drumviredy in what is a very decent mares contest.
Midnight Jazz 9-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 4th, challenged after 2 out, led last, soon headed, one pace and lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Lily Waugh (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Yes I Did (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up in rear but in touch, headway 4 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Smart Talk (11-0) at Haydock 2m 3f lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Bobs Lady Tamure 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, went 2nd before next, ridden after 2 out, 4 lengths down and one pace when fell last, at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Hollies Pearl 2-5fav (11-5) Went left and not fluent 1st, pressed leader, led after 3 out, hard pressed next, driven between last 2, headed narrowly last, ridden and one pace flat, well held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Rene's Girl (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Midnight Belle 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, mistake 8th, soon headed, pushed along 9th, weakened 5 out, pulled up next, at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
At First Light 10-1 (11-8) With leader, led 5th, headed before 2 out, rallied to regain lead run-in, kept on gamely, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Tambura (11-11) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Drumviredy (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Awesome Rosie (10-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Dec.
Barton Rose 10-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 8th to chase leaders, weakened after last, 5th of 6, 22l behind At First Light (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
