tracked clear leader, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, led 4 out, jumped right from 3 out, ridden when mistake last, kept on
soon clear, headed briefly 8th, led again 9th, headed 4 out, ridden 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, headway 6th, led briefly 8th, soon ridden to chase leaders, outpaced, stayed on to chase winner, held after last
held up, jumped right 6th, behind from 4 out
held up, ridden 8th, kept on
Pearl King has the scope to defy a penalty, with Nippy Des Mottes and Ease The Way seen as the ones to give him most to do. Pearl King was a fairly useful sort on the Flat for Michael Jarvis, and was successful once from five starts over timber for his current stable. However, it is over fences that he has really shone, having won both outings, at Leicester and Wincanton, on the latter occasion defying jumping errors to beat Palua narrowly. Given a break since, he is sure to have been well schooled at home, and with the fast ground in his favour, he is selected to come out on top over Nippy Des Mottes. The latter is not sure to appreciate the underfoot conditions as much, having gained most of his career wins with some cut in the ground. Granted, he does go well right-handed, but is likely to be taken off his feet by the selection, who can use his turn of foot to good effect if they are battling for supremacy at the last. Evan Williams is still not firing on all cylinders, and neither of his pair make much appeal, with ex-Irish Ease The Way the best of them. His best form is on soft ground as well though, and although he has won over hurdles at the Shropshire track, he has not shown much in two outings over fences for the Welsh yard and can safely be taken on. All in all, this does look good for Pearl King despite his penalty.
Pearl King (IRE) 3-1fav (10-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 4 out, challenged 3 out, ran on well from last, led close home, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Palua (11-12) by a shd, 9 ran.
Ease The Way 7-1 (10-11) Towards rear, hit 7th, effort after 4 out, no impression, 8th of 9, well behind Madison Du Berlais (11-7) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Nippy Des Mottes (FR) 5-1 (11-3) Held up last, went 3rd and bumped 9th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 18l behind Priors Dale (11-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Find The Way (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Day Of Claies (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Berkhamsted (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Led, headed and mistake 4th, reminders and soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Victorias Groom (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Mar '06, 14 ran.
