Cast your minds back to this day last year and the groans of disappointment when Irish steeple-chasing's great white hope, Florida Pearl, crashed at the third last fence in the Ericsson. Those groans will be amplified to any power you like if Florida Pearl doesn't get compensation today.
Of course a lot of things have changed in the last 364 days. That fall tarnished the veneer of invincibility that had been growing around the swaggering seven-year-old and a Gold Cup third finally scuffed it.
Yet it is a tribute to the obvious towering talent of the horse that Florida Pearl was still a solid ante-post favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup before See More Business's hammering of yesterday's King George field. It will be a major shock if he isn't still near the head of the market after racing today. There is no Dorans Pride of the 1998 version ranged against him and Florida Pearl comes here with an impressive seasonal debut behind him at Down Royal where he comfortably beat Dorans Pride and Ferbet Junior.
"The North actually took more out of him than I thought it would so we gave him a break but he has been doing well since he has come back," Willie Mullins said yesterday.
Of the opposition Rince Ri is 6 lb better off with the veteran Buck Rogers for a three parts of a length defeat in the Durkan at Punchestown and especially over the extra half mile should come out in front of that horse this time. Indeed he looks the horse for the forecast but Florida Pearl has to be the only win choice.
If anything Irish racing's latest crowd pleaser Limestone Lad faces an even easier task in the Woodies Christmas Hurdle over three miles. None of the four declared opponents come within an asses roar of Limestone Lad's rating and this should just provide evidence of his chance in the Stayers Championship at Cheltenham in March.
One horse who had hotpot status on his last appearance was the French Group Three winner Oa Baldixe at Navan but he got out-pointed by Aldino. He still has to give weight away today in the Stillorgan Orchard Hurdle but he reverts to the two and a half miles over which he won impressively at Navan and Fairyhouse and Oa Baldixe is selected.
The Grade Three Neville Novice Chase usually throws up a decent winner and this year's field has a number of decent young chasers who should win many more races. However, if there is a horse who fits the phrase "could be anything" then it must be Up For The Game.
The J P McManus-owned point to point winner was a distance winner of a bumper before reverting to two miles on his park chase debut at Cork. The neck with which he ultimately beat Storm Ten gave absolutely no indication of the ease with which he won and today could be the start of something above the ordinary.
The opener should see an improved display of jumping from the smart Bob What and trainer Paddy Mullins could be in line for a double courtesy of that tough handicapper Bamford Castle.
Winter Wishes could be a touch of value in the last.
