Pearl has possible Ascot date
Florida Pearl could head to Ascot for his next start after making a successful reappearance at Fairyhouse.
Trainer Willie Mullins has pencilled in a possible crack at the Ritz Club Ascot Chase on January 31 for the 12-year-old after his success in the Normans Grove Chase.
“He’ll probably go for the Grade One Ritz Club Ascot Chase at the end of the month but he’s also entered in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown (February 8),” Mullins said.
Florida Pearl was back on the track following a prolonged injury lay-off and despite his 8-1 starting price, proved his class of old had not deserted him.
Richard Johnson travelled over for the ride and had his mount well positioned from the off, soon disputing the lead with the Ruby Walsh-ridden Rince Ri.
Although Knife Edge and favourite Rathgar Beau briefly looked like threatening rounding for home, it was Johnson and Florida Pearl who kicked on to extend their lead approaching the last.
The ever-popular veteran stayed on strongly in the closing stages to comfortably account for Rince Ri by two lengths, with Rathgar Beau a further seven lengths away in third.
“I’m just delighted,” Mullins added. “He jumped so well and Richard did not have to ask very much of him at all.
“The horse was really enjoying himself out there.”
The handler also paid tribute to physiotherapist Grainne Ni Chaba, who worked with the horse throughout his lay-off.
“Grainne’s done some tremendous work with him and he’s as strong looking as I’ve seen him in the last few years.
“I’d love to go to the Gold Cup with him but it would be a hard race for him at this age.
“Best Mate would also be a tough opponent to crack!”
Leading Irish layers Sean Graham cut the winner to 25-1 from 40-1 for the Gold Cup.
Ladbrokes are 33-1 from the same price, while Coral reacted by cutting his to 25s from 66-1.
The effort of the runner-up over a trip well short of his best did not go unnoticed by the bookmakers either.
Already touted as a major Martell Cognac Grand National hope, Hills now go 12-1 from 14s and Ladbrokes 20-1 from 25.
Coral make the 11-year-old 14-1 favourite from 20-1.
Earlier on the card, Best Mate’s half-brother Inexorable completed a hat-trick of victories with success in the Mulhaddart Novice Hurdle.
The David Wachman-trained gelding was sent off the well-backed 7-4 favourite and punters could have started to count their money at the second-last flight as jockey Mark Grant kicked his mount on.
Criaire Princess trailed home a weary second, 12 lengths behind the winner, with Like A Bee staying on to grab third.
The six-year-old was settled in fourth in the early stages while Criaire Princess took the field along at a good clip.
It was down the back on the second circuit when Grant edged his mount towards the front, with the result never in doubt despite a sketchy jump at the last flight.
The win completed a double for the trainer and jockey after Cane Brake took the opening Kehoe Ceilings And Partitions Maiden Hurdle.
