Pearl bids for fourth Hennessy success

Veteran chaser Florida Pearl heads a field of seven for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.

The Willie Mullins-trained 12-year-old will be bidding for a fourth win in the race after taking the Grade One event in 1999, 2000 and 2001.

Florida Pearl bounced back to form after a lengthy lay off with a win at Fairyhouse last month and hopes will be high in the three-mile event.

Mullins also sends Alexander Banquet for the race but the main challenge could come from Ted Walsh’s Rince Ri, who was second in the Pillar Property Chase last time.

Le Coudray, second in the Ericsson Chase, takes his chance for Christy Roche while Noel Meade sends last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup third Harbour Pilot.

Troytown Chase winner Cloudy Bays and the useful Be My Belle complete the line up.

Paddy Power have installed Harbour Pilot as the 9-4 favourite for the race with Le Coudray next best on 5-2.

Florida Pearl is an 8-1 chance to complete his four-timer.

Paddy Power: 9-4 Harbour Pilot, 5-2 Le Coudray, 100-30 Rince Ri, 5-1 Cloudy Bays, 8-1 Florida Pearl, 20-1 Alexander Banquet, 33-1 Be My Belle.