It’s time to shell out for a Pearl win
WINNER MACHINE
A SIGNIFICANT drop in class and the application of cheekpieces can see MYSTIC PEARL regain winning brackets in the Listed Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies Stakes (2.05) at Kempton.
She made a huge leap in form to gain her first Listed win at Sandown last July, quickening twice in the race, firstly to challenge from the rear and then to see off Stenton Glider.
The form of her subsequent halflength defeat in a Deauville Group 3 has worked out well and she was just a little out of her depth when again finishing ahead of Stenton Glider in a Meydan Group 2 two months ago.
Ian Williams (above) is a dab hand with stayers and crowned a great sequence with AQWAAM this winter when claiming a third win since late October — and a £34,000 prize — at Lingfield.
The grey has gone up a stone during this successful spell but the manner of his victory — travelling supremely well under Oisin Orr and reeling in the leaders a little cosily up the short Lingfield straight — suggests there is room for more improvement.
He’s excelled on five of Britain’s six all-weather tracks — he now has to do it at Kempton in the Queen’s Prize (3.15).
An ITV bonus, given the loss of Kelso’s jumping card, is the showing of the Alleged Stakes (2.55) from the Curragh.
On his first start last season WHITE BIRCH won over 1m2f in heavy and can do so again when the ground will offset the trip being short of his best.
A real hardy galloper who just lacks a top-class turn of foot, the Epsom Derby third has the attitude to enjoy a successful campaign and has been well trained by John and George Murphy.
TODAY’S SELECTIONS
Mystic Pearl 2.05 Kempton White Birch 2.55 Curragh Aqwaam
3.15 Kempton