Horseracing: Florida Pearl lands King George VI Chase

Florida Pearl finally got the reward for consistency when storming home to win a fantastic race for the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The race looked a sparkling contest for racing connoisseurs to savour and so it proved in the big St Stephen's Day showpiece.

Last year's French-trained winner First Gold finished only fourth in his bid to land another success in the three-mile Grade One contest.

Adrian Maguire drove home Florida Pearl, trained by Willie Mullins, to foil a late challenge from Best Mate, with Bacchanal third.

Florida Pearl, placed twice in the race including second last year, had too many guns for his rivals and was in front at the 11th fence.

He was still in front three out and hung on by three quarters of a length despite a great finishing burst from Tony McCoy on the Henrietta Knight-trained Best Mate who was six lengths clear of Bacchanal.

Bellator, trained by Venetia Williams, was third last year but refused to race in this year's renewal.