Pearl gallops into history books

Racing Leopardstown report: It is sorely tempting to describe Florida Pearl's historic fourth Hennessy Gold Cup success in "fairytale" fashion but while syrup can be applied to the result it does a disservice to yesterday's performance.

Florida Pearl's career has progressed from bright young thing to maturity and on to venerable affection but veteran or not this was a display to rank with any in his career.

It might not have been a great renewal of the race, and Harbour Pilot's unlucky exit at the second last removed a big danger, but all Florida Pearl could do was win and he ultimately did it with authority.

Even in the midst of the emotional aftemath the point wasn't lost on those closest to him.

"He has raced every year since he was a four-year-old and very few do that but I think that is as good a performance as he has put up here," said trainer Willie Mullins.

"When he was winning this before he was dropping out at the end and holding on but Richard (Johnson) said he had plenty in the tank on the run."

Johnson had a first-hand experience of the previous Hennessy experience three years ago but even interference from the loose Harbour Pilot at the last couldn't shake Florida Pearl's grip on the race.

"It got close but the loose horse ended up helping me," he said.

One man Harbour Pilot didn't help was Paul Carberry who bemoaned his luck: "He just put down on me. I was going just as well as Richard and mine would have stayed on really well."

Nevertheless, Noel Meade committed Harbour Pilot to the Gold Cup itself unless the ground comes up firm at the festival.

Florida Pearl will also be back for a fourth attempt on chasing's holy grail and Paddy Power gave both horses 20 to 1 quotes, not surprising given the presence of Best Mate.

"He will be very hard to beat," admitted Johnson but a place in the history books is already guaranteed with Florida Pearl outstripping Jodami (1993-95) in the Hennessy roll of honour.

"I would have cried if he'd got beat there. He did everything right and I'd have been crushed if he got caught," said Mullins who was winning the race for a fifth time in six years.

"I thought the game was up at the last. My heart was in my mouth but Richard was always confident. Last year was difficult because of the virus and having to change feed three or four times but he has come back in great form," he added.

Nobody was arguing with that and Le Coudray's trainer Christy Roche said: "The winner is a great horse. My lad would have liked it softer but it's hard to really see an excuse.

"If it gets really soft we might race again this season but I think a green field is not far away!"

Le Coudray was the gamble of the race and was six lengths clear of Rince Ri, the Grand National favourite, who plugged on for third.

Back in fourth was the winner's stable companion Alexander Banquet who ran his own eye-catching trial.

"His old spark is coming back and the National is the target for him," added Willie Mullins.

Not for the first time in his career, however, Alexander Banquet had to settle for a minor share of the spotlight behind his stable companion.

His consolation is that few others would do any better at shifting Florida Pearl from centre stage.

The Leopardstown attendance broke the 18,000 barrier for just the third time in six years with a crowd of 18,412.

They bet a course record for the Tote of €671,313 while the bookie turnover of €2,845,269 was €182,222 up on last year's seven-race card.