Florida in fine form for treble attempt

Florida Pearl is reported in "tremendous form" ahead of his treble attempt on next Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup but the Leopardstown feature is turning into a make or break race for another of Ireland's Cheltenham hopefuls, Native Upmanship.

"If it's decent ground, Native Upmanship will probably need to win on Sunday if he is to justify going for the Cheltenham Gold Cup," his trainer Arthur Moore declared yesterday.

The John Magnier-owned horse has Cheltenham entries in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Cathcart Chase but the Gold Cup remains his main aim and is generally quoted at 20 to 1 for that race.

Moore added: "As long as the ground isn't as bad as it was for the Ericsson, he will run on Sunday. I wouldn't like to run him on ground like that again. But he is back in good form. He is in the Champion Chase just in case it turns up a bog at Cheltenham. Some year it will happen."

Native Upmanship disappointed behind Rince Ri in the Ericsson over Christmas on unsuitably soft ground. Nick Dundee, who finished third in the Ericsson, is set to be another Magnier runner in the Hennessy but most attention will centre on Florida Pearl's attempt at winning the three-mile contest for the third year in a row.

Florida Pearl pleased his connections when schooling at Fairyhouse on Friday and will be schooled again this week ahead of the race.

"We'll work him this week, too, but I think he's in tremendous form," said trainer Willie Mullins who is also hoping to run Alexander Banquet in the big race.

"It will depend on how he gallops this week but I certainly hope to run him," said Mullins whose other Hennessy entry, Micko's Dream, will miss out and run instead at Thurles on Thursday.

The Hennessy will be an all home affair with both See More Business and Bobby Grant not travelling but Ted Walsh said his Irish Grand National winner, Commanche Court, is set to take his chance.

Sackville is likely to take part in the PJ Moriarty Novice Chase after winning at Naas on Saturday.