Florida Pearl heads Ascot entries

Florida Pearl heads 12 entries for what looks set to be a cracking renewal of the Servo Computer Services' Ascot Chase on Saturday.

The Willie Mullins-trained 12-year-old may be in the twilight of what has been a glittering career, but he rolled back the years to score at Fairyhouse on his seasonal reappearance recently, jumping with zest to beat subsequent Pillar Property Chase runner-up Rince Ri comfortably.

He remains one of only three horses to have beaten dual Gold Cup winner Best Mate over fences and has twice finished placed in the blue riband.

The veteran gelding is also entered at Thurles on Thursday.

Possible opponents for Florida Pearl at the weekend include Tiutchev, who will be seeking his third win in the Grade One race, Fondmort, Hand Inn Hand, Impek and Le Roi Miguel.

As well as Florida Pearl, the Irish hold a strong hand through Native Upmanship, twice runner-up in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Le Coudray, second to Best Mate in the Ericsson Chase on his latest start.

Another fascinating entry is the Conrad Allen-trained Royal Atalza.

The seven-year-old is a half-brother to Royal Rosa, who fetched a world record 340,000 guineas when he went through the sales ring, and is owned by the flamboyant Terry Ramsden, one of the leading owners and biggest punters of the 1980s.