Florida Pearl will be a surprise runner in a two-mile, three-furlong handicap at Leopardstown on Sunday, but his trainer, Willie Mullins, emphasised yesterday that the Hennessy Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Gold Cup remain Florida Pearl's targets for the season.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup second favourite will have his race in handicap company in the BAX Global Chase, where he will carry 12 stone and is scheduled to give almost two stone to his nearest rival in the ratings, Merry Gale.
Explaining his decision, Mullins said: "I thought that this was a nice race at the distance for him. If it had been a three-mile race I would not run him. The plan is still to go for the Hennessy and then Cheltenham, but a race like this is likely to bring him on rather than take him back".
Florida Pearl was beaten controversially in the Ericsson Chase by Rince Ri on his latest start, but Mullins added: "He hasn't missed a day since his run at Christmas and I am very happy with him. He will work again tomorrow."
Mullins also confirmed that Alexander Banquet will run in Sunday's Bailey's Arkle Cup.
