Florida Pearl pleases trainer in workout

Florida Pearl did his chances of lining up for another tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup no harm when pleasing Willie Mullins in a piece of work with stablemates Adamant Approach, Macs Gildoran and Killultagh Thunder.

He cut out the running under David Casey and led in Adamant Approach, who had his intended Irish Independent Arkle Trophy jockey Paul Carberry in the plate.

“There’s no decision on Florida Pearl for the Gold Cup yet but I’m encouraged by that bit of work,” Mullins said. “He was a little deliberate jumping in front but I wasn’t surprised by that. He then warmed up and jumped well, but I won’t be making any decision on him until later in the week at least.

“Adamant Approach jumped very well but he blew hard afterwards because I had to give him 10 days off as his blood picture wasn’t right. He needed that.”

On a day when a number of Ireland’s Festival hopes stretched their legs, one interesting piece of news emerged from the Dermot Weld camp.

The Curragh handler had former Irish champion jockey Pat Smullen in the saddle as his Weatherbys Champion Bumper contender Govamix breezed over a mile and six furlongs and the rider will take the mount at Cheltenham.

“I’m looking forward to the experience, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and Govamix goes there with an each-way chance,” Smullen said.

Smullen will be bidding for a famous double for Flat jockeys at the Festival after Jamie Spencer on Pizarro got the better of Norman Williamson on Rhinestone Cowboy in a memorable renewal of the bumper last year.