Mullins hopeful Pearl can bounce back

Connections of star Irish chaser Florida Pearl are planning a return to action in December for the talented 11-year-old.

Florida Pearl failed to add to his impressive tally of victories, which include a three-quarters of a length success over Best Mate in the 2001 Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park, last season and was generally disappointing.

However, Florida Pearl’s trainer Willie Mullins is optimistic that he can get the gelding back to top form this time.

He said: “He’s just come back this week and he’s back in training. He seems grand, he’s had a nice summer and he’s put on plenty of condition.

“The John Durkan Chase over two and a half miles at Punchestown in early December will probably be his first run. I think we can get him back to his best.

“He hadn’t the best of runs last winter between the virus and then this morphine thing. We had to change feed two or three times.

“The yard is back to form now. We had a good finish to last season and we’ve had a good start to the present season, so I’m hoping Florida Pearl will be back to his old form as well.”