Florida 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 Stephen's Day.
The Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old has had an interrupted preparation for the £150,000 (€234,519) 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, after which he did not scope clean.
But Mullins now reports his stable star in “great form”.
He said: “He worked well on Tuesday 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.
The Co Carlow trainer is hoping to mount a strong challenge for the major races at Kempton on Boxing Day with Davenport Milenium an intended runner in the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle, and Ballyamber and One Night Out both possibles for the Pertemps Learning Feltham Novices’ Chase.
There is a £100,000 (€156,000) bonus up for grabs for any trainer, jockey or owner who wins all three of the St Stephen's Day card’s championship events.
Davenport Milenium, 8-1 joint second favourite for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle with William Hill, pleased Mullins with his work on Wednesday morning.
“He worked well. Ruby (Walsh) sat on him this morning and was quite happy with him, “ said Mullins.
“I have two entered for the Feltham as well, Ballyamber and One Night Out, and I have Macs Valley for the two-mile novice hurdle that day.
“I’ll run one of the novice chasers and I hope to bring Macs Valley over. He’s a better ground horse and it will probably be better there than it will be in Leopardstown so I’m keen to bring him across.”
