Florida Pearl now heads for Kempton

Florida Pearl has been confirmed a King George runner at Christmas, and in the longer term his weekend return to form has prompted prices as low as 9 to 4 about Ireland scoring just its third Cheltenham Gold Cup success in 16 years next March.

Despite being beaten a head by Native Upmanship in the Durkan Chase, Florida Pearl remains the shortest priced Irish-trained horse for the Gold Cup.

However, Ireland's strength in depth for steeplechasing's blue riband is reflected in the ante-post market, and Cashmans of Cork go just 9 to 4 about an Irish Gold Cup winner in three months' time. Paddy Power are slightly more generous at 5 to 2.

Numerically there can rarely have been more hope for the Irish, with Powers quoting six home horses at or under 25 to 1.

Florida Pearl's stable companion, Alexander Banquet, is set for an Ericsson Chase clash with the John Magnier-owned pair, Native Upmanship and Nick Dundee, as well as possibly last year's Ericsson scorer, Rince Ri. Powers also quote the Irish Grand National winner, Commanche Court, in their Gold Cup market.

Florida Pearl, however, will be travelling to Kempton over Christmas after delighting trainer Willie Mullins with how well he has recovered from the weekend race.

"He came out of the race really well. He ate when he came and the following morning and I'm really delighted with him. Plan A is the King George. Obviously we'll keep our options open until the last minute but Kempton is the aim. Alexander Banquet will go for the Ericsson as will Micko's Dream," Mullins said yesterday.

On the weather front there are no problems reported about tomorrow's Fairyhouse card going ahead, and with an eye to Christmas, the authorities at Cork racecourse haven't given up on their St Stephen's Day fixture going ahead.

Racing hasn't been possible at the track recently but the Cork manager Michael Lane is looking northwards for encouragement.

"Hard, cold weather is forecast from the weekend on and if we got a few days of that on the run up to Christmas we would be laughing. The hurdles track is ready to race on now and all the chase track needs is a few days of dry weather.

"The rain we've had in the south has been frightening, the worst on record for years and I've never before seen the town of Mallow under three feet of water in November. But if we get hard cold weather from the north I'm confident we'll be racing at Christmas," said Lane.

The Noel Meade-trained Sallie's Girl has been installed a 14 to 1 shot by Cashmans for Saturday's Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. Deano's Beano, trained by Martin Pipe, has been made the 13 to 8 favourite to improve on his second 12 months ago as 13 runners were declared yesterday.