Perle de Puce is clearly better over hurdles than fences but should be too classy for her rivals with Very Special One and Scratch The Dove rated the main dangers. The selection ran well off a mark of 137 in a Southwell handicap hurdle last time and while the daughter of Snurge has yet to show a similar level of ability in three previous starts over fences at least she jumped better on her latest start over them. A reproduction of that effort at and Towcester behind the useful De Blanc should suffice. Simple Glory showed promise on her chasing debut last month but needs to improve to trouble the selection, while Horcott Bay has given little sign of encouragement of late. Very Special One ran creditably in a handicap last time and is less exposed than Scratch The Dove but neither has the ability of Perle de Puce, who is taken to open her account over fences.
Ellie Moss 100-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Launde (11-2) at Leicester 2m mdn chs (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Horcott Bay 11-1 (10-11) With leader, led 7th, ridden, headed after 10th, weakened approaching 14th pulled up 4 out in race won by Chabrimal Minster (11-4) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Lincoln Leader (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) In touch, hit 9th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Martha's Kinsman (11-4) at Ludlow 3m beg chs (4) gf in Feb, 12 ran.
Perle de Puce (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, ridden approaching next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Bold Fire (9-13) at Southwell 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Scratch The Dove 9-1 (10-11) Behind, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace and no impression approaching last, 4th of 11, 18l behind Sarahs Quay (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mrs nov chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Simple Glory (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 7th, lost place next, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Viciana (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Feb.
True Temper (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) In touch, disputing 4th when fell at the 9th in race won by Sarahs Quay (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mrs nov chs (4) hvy in Feb, 11 ran.
Very Special One (IRE) 3-1fav (11-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, led 3 out, headed last, not quicken flat, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Before The Mast (10-7) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Granny Shona (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up, mistake 9th, headway 11th, 4th when fell 5 out in race won by De Blanc (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
