set slow pace, made all, pressed 3 out, edged right and ran on to outpace rival flat
took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 3 out, beaten next, not fluent last, lost 3rd flat
pressed winner until 3 out, weakened next, went 3rd flat
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance last, ridden and not pace of winner flat
None of these inspire much confidence. ROYAL PEARL was last of five in a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las last month but the winner went on to land a Grade 2 contest and Tom Gretton’s filly should find this easier. A maiden after 13 starts on the Flat, Becky The Thatcher goes hurdling for the first time and is preferred to Marbeth, well beaten here on her hurdling bow, while Josephine K has yet to complete over timber.
Becky The Thatcher 11-2 (9-2) In touch, pushed along and weakened over 3f out, 11th of 13, 33l behind Maid Of Tuscany (9-2) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Josephine K 250-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, always behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Marbeth (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 5th of 6, dist behind Cape Of Glory (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Royal Pearl 33-1 (10-7) Held up, in last pair, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten, last of 5, 26l behind Defi Du Seuil (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.