Florida Pearl back in action

FLORIDA PEARL begins what is very likely to be his final assault on the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup when he has his first race for almost nine months at Fairyhouse tomorrow.

The 12-year-old faces eight rivals in the Normans Grove Chase over two miles and one furlong after missing out on an intended clash with Best Mate in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas because of a slight setback.

Willie Mullins’s charge, who has not raced since finishing unplaced at the Punchestown Festival last spring, has yet to win at Fairyhouse but he did finish second to Moscow Express on his only appearance there in April 2001.