Florida Pearl ready for Kempton defence

Florida Pearl is still on course for his bid to repeat last year's victory in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day.

Wed, 18 Dec, 2002 - 11:52

Willie Mullin's Florida Pearl is still on course for his bid to repeat last year's victory in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day.

The 10-year-old has had an interrupted preparation for the contest.

He had a hard race when fourth on his reappearance at Down Royal in November and was then forced to miss an intended engagement in the John Durkan Punchestown Chase having disappointed in a gallop.

But Mullins now reports his stable star in "great form".

He said: "He worked well yesterday morning and I think we're on course for Kempton - although I don't want any more setbacks. At the moment we're on course.

"I haven't scoped him. He won't be scoped until next week before he goes. There's no reason to scope him the way he's working."

Riding arrangements for Florida Pearl in the King George have yet to be finalised.

Florida Pearl is a 5-1 chance with William Hill to land his second King George.