Florida Pearl is jewel in week's racing crown

A rejuvenated Florida Pearl promises to be the star attraction for racegoers at Ascot on Saturday.

Few staying chasers have been as popular in recent times as the Willie Mullins-trained 12-year-old, and he returned to winning ways in grand fashion at Fairyhouse two weeks ago.

The £100,000 (€144,800) Ritz Club Ascot Chase has been pencilled in by Mullins as the next step towards another crack at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.

The £50,000 (€72,400) William Hill Handicap Hurdle is the chief supporting contest.

It will be the real stayers who take the spotlight at Uttoxeter, though, with the gruelling Singer & Freidlander National Trial the feature event.

The £50,000 (€72,400) Sky Bet Chase, formerly known as the Great Yorkshire Chase, is the highlight of a two-day card at Doncaster on Saturday.

The skybet.com River Don Novices’ Hurdle, a Grade Two affair over an extended three miles, backs up the big race.

Meanwhile, keep an eye on the all-weather card at Wolverhampton on Monday where Derby-winning trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam has his first runner back in Britain after returning from a stint in Hong Kong.