Florida Pearl's class to tell

It doesn't get much better than it does at Leopardstown today. An unbeaten, hyped-to-the-skies potential champion in Florida Pearl and an assembly of proven topclass challengers. Throw the King George winner, Teeton Mill, in and the Ericsson Chase might as well be a Christmas Gold Cup.

Florida Pearl's reappearance has been the most eagerly awaited event in Irish racing this winter, but that hasn't stopped the dual Grand National runner-up Suny Bay travelling from Britain or a number of Irish trainers nurturing hopes that they can burst the favourite's bubble.

Michael Hourigan, for one, hasn't given up his Gold Cup dreams for Dorans Pride despite his horse's Punchestown defeat by Imperial Call. Dorans Pride will strip much fitter today and Hourigan believes Richard Dunwoody could well regret jumping ship. Hourigan said yesterday: "This race won't be one-way traffic for any horse. Florida Pearl is really only a novice and has it all to do. Despite one flaw, at Naas, my horse has been the most consistent Irish chaser since Arkle. Boss Doyle has a great chance, too. He gave a stone and a half to Teeton Mill and finished just behind him at Newbury. He also was giving Florida Pearl 7lb last winter."

Another man loathe to dismiss the chance of Boss Doyle was Suny Bay's rider, Graham Bradley, but the veteran jockey is still very hopeful.

"The ground is perfect and so is the left-handed track. Suny Bay wasn't quite as impressive as he usually is at Haydock last time and was a bit flat for a few days after. But he's in great form now," said Bradley.

Despite all that, Florida Pearl's connections were sounding impressively confident yesterday. "I'm very pleased with the horse's fitness and he should run a good race," said Dunwoody. When asked if Suny Bay was the main danger, Dunwoody replied: "Not necessarily. Dorans Pride will be much fitter now and Boss Doyle has close form with us, too."

Willie Mullins commented: "I'm very hopeful fitness wise that we've got Florida Pearl as straight as we can. I would rather better ground but he has won on it. I'm very happy with the horse but I would hate to see him have a hard race."

So, everyone was feeling reasonably confident yesterday, a feeling that suggests Florida Pearl will have to be every bit as good as his reputation suggests to win this. That reputation almost certainly guarantees that Florida Pearl will be at prohibitive odds, but the facts are that this horse has yet to beaten and he has such potential that it's still impossible to know how good he may be. Today looks a day to go with the Florida Pearl flow.

Apart from the Ericsson, this card has also the Neville & Sons Novice Chase, in which there is an intriguing clash between some smart staying novices. Another young horse with a big reputation is Nick Dundee, who hacked up on his last appearance but faces much stronger opposition this time.

Foxchapel King finished best behind Promalee at Fairyhouse but it should pay to side with the third horse that day, Inis Cara.

Another to get behind is To Your Honour in the Stillorgan Orchard Novice Hurdle.