Racing: Pearce's pairing

LYDIA PEARCE is likely to ride the strongly fancied Diesan in her attempt for a third Ladies' Diamond race at Ascot tomorrow. Pearce, wife of the Newmarket trainer Jeff, landed the prize for John Gosden on Susurration in 1991 and Badawi in 1992.

She would have gained another diamond necklace - the winning rider's prize - but for being controversially disqualified after passing the post first on If Memory Serves, also for Gosden, in 1990.

Gosden's entry this time is Diesan, a smart two-year-old in 1993 who signalled a return to form was imminent when leading home the stands' side runners in the Bunbury Cup.

Pearce said: 'I've been provisionally booked by Mr Gosden, but as he has been at Keeneland nothing is definite yet. It's amazing how much attention this race receives. It's worth pounds 8,000, but the Epsom race I won on Mysterious Maid and the Queen Mother Cup at York are worth more.

'I walked Newmarket Heath yesterday and was told that both Geoff Wragg's (Blue Lion) and Sir Mark Prescott's (Lady Lodger) were well fancied. And River Board of Willie Haggas is meant to be the one, too.'