Pearl a weekend possible

Florida Pearl could be back in action this weekend as he begins his build up to another tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Willie Mullins-trained 12-year-old has not raced since finishing unplaced at the Punchestown Festival at the end of last April.

However, he has been entered in the Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Florida Pearl missed an intended clash with Best Mate in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas after a slight setback but is now reported on course for his return.

“I’ve entered him in a Grade Three chase at Fairyhouse next weekend so he might run there,” Mullins said today.

“I’m delighted with the way he’s been going. He just didn’t scope clear at Christmas but he’s ready to go again now.

“Obviously he’s 12 years of age but he’s in good form. So I’ll just try and get a couple of runs into him and see how we go but the Gold Cup would be the plan and then back to Aintree.”

Florida Pearl has run three times in the Cheltenham Gold Cup finishing third to See More Business in 1999, second the following year to Looks Like Trouble and 11th behind Best Mate in 2002.

He won the the 2001 King George VI Chase at Kempton and the Martell Cup at Aintree in 2002 but he could now be nearing the end of his illustrious career.

Mullins continued: “He’s a horse who hasn’t had a lot of racing but it will probably be his last season. We won’t decide until the season is over.”

Florida Pearl is a 40-1 chance with Ladbrokes for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.