Florida Pearl on course for another crack at Gold Cup

WILLIE MULLINS yesterday confirmed that Florida Pearl has emerged fit and well from his historic victory at Leopardstown on Sunday and will now bid to win the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup at the fourth attempt.

The 12-year-old won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup for a record fourth time, but has yet to capture chasing's blue riband event. He has had three tries, finishing third to See More Business in 1999, runner-up to Looks Like Trouble the following year and unplaced behind Best Mate two years ago.

"The extra two furlongs of the Gold Cup have just been a bit too much for Florida Pearl, but we'll be there and we'll give it a shot," trainer Mullins told attheraces yesterday.