Pearlysteps

Pearlysteps ran another really game race at Haydock on Saturday, this time in the Peter Marsh Chase, and he did well to finish second as, while he jumped well and handled the ground well, he may be better on better ground and over a longer trip. He remains progressive, this was another really solid run from him, and he may have been slightly unfortunate to bump into According To Pete, who is in the absolute form of his life, defying a hefty rise in the weights for his game success in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on St Stephen’s Day.

Pearlysteps ran a similar race here to the one he ran in the Tommy Whittle, also at Haydock, five weeks previously. He was prominent the whole way (he actually made the running in the Tommy Whittle) and he was passed early in the straight before rallying and staying on well again. He was coming right back at Cannington Brook in the Tommy Whittle before he came down at the last, and he got back past Consigliere for second place this time having been several lengths behind him between the final two fences, and he was closing right in again on the winner on the run-in as well.

He has now given the distinct impression, on his last two runs, his only two runs out of novice company, that he wants a distance of ground, and he may not be entirely suited to the heavy ground he has encountered on both of those runs. A flat track suits him well, and as such the Scottish National could be a target for him. Novices have a really good record in that contest, and Pearlysteps has only had seven runs over fences. Because he has run in conditions which may not be ideal for him on his last two runs now, he probably still hasn’t shown his full hand to the handicapper. A rise of just 3lb for Saturday’s run (he wasn’t put up at all for his previous effort) still leaves him on a fairly attractive mark of 143 over fences, and he is progressing all the time.

21st January 2012