HOLLIES PEARL has to give 6lb to Mia's Storm but should be up to the task if first-time blinkers have the desired effect. She was a little wayward when Rene's Girl overturned earlier Chepstow running at Warwick in November but the latter has defied a penalty since and Peter Bowen's mare can do likewise. Alan King's charge was easy to back at Huntingdon last month but only found an odds-on chance too good and she's sure to be suited by this longer trip having already won over 3m between the flags. Jockey bookings suggest Ballybrowneybridge is preferred to On The Couch of Sam Thomas' two runners.
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.
Bagging Turf (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Prom til fell 5, at Parham 3m mdn gd in Mar.
Ballybrowneybridge (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked winner until before 7th, shaken up 3 out, no impression before next, lost 3rd last, last of 4, 10l behind Clemency (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Mia's Storm (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Mid-division on inside, closed 12f out, went 2nd 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind La Bague Au Roi (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m lst (1) gs in Dec.
On The Couch (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 4th aftr a mile & 3rd 6out, gng well 5out, ld aftr 4out, hdd bef 2out & btn in 3rd aftr 2out, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Kilcullen Lady (11-11) at Curraheen 3m mdn gs in May.
Stoical Patient (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, outpaced 3f out, 10th of 12, 16 1/4l behind Sister Sibyl (10-12) at Towcester 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Western Sunrise (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 6, 20l behind The Nipper (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) hvy in Nov.
