Florida now ready to go

Florida Pearl pleased his connections in two pieces of work after racing at Leopardstown yesterday and remains on track for Thursday week's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The Gold Cup second favourite did two spins over three and a half furlongs, quickening up in the straight alongside stable companions Alexander Banquet, Balla Sola and General Cloney.

Florida Pearl, ridden by James Nash, just edged the first spin and General Cloney (Barry Geraghty) the second, but Mullins said: "I'm delighted with the way he has worked against good flat horses and he was well able to stay with them."

Florida Pearl and Alexander Banquet will be popped over a fence at the Mullins yard on Friday but, unlike last year, Florida Pearl was not schooled here.

"He doesn't need any more practice and now it's just a question of keeping him in one piece," Mullins added.

It seemed almost all of the big Irish hopes for Cheltenham were worked after racing, including the Gold Cup hope, Dorans Pride, the Stayers' Hurdle candidate, Limestone Lad, and Dermot Weld's top novice, Stage Affair.

Limestone Lad finished ahead of Fandango De Chassy and the Triumph Hurdle hope, Topacio, in his work and trainer Michael Bowe, who also rode the horse, said: "That will have done him the world of good. He was very fresh and felt as strong as a bull."

Dorans Pride did a mile and six furlongs, and trainer Michael Hourigan commented: "It was nothing serious, just a day out from the yard. It'll do him a power of good."

There is still uncertainty about whether Stage Affair will take on Istabraq in the Champion Hurdle or go in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but he looked on good terms with himself yesterday.

"It all hinges on the weather. The long range forecast is good but I imagine it will be the weekend before we know, said Dermot Weld's son, Mark.

Other star names to work were the SunAlliance Chase hope, Native Upmanship, the Queen Mother Champion Chase candidate, Space Trucker, and the Cathcart possible, His Song.

Willie Mullins worked his five Weatherbys Champion Bumper entries, Adamant Approach, Bally Amber, Tuesday, Be My Royal and Joe Cullen, in two five-furlong spins, and Adamant Approach, the ante-post Bumper favourite, finished near the front in both.