RACING: Ireland's top chaser Florida Pearl gets his season under way with the usual kick-off in Down Royal's James Nicholson Champion Chase, but only if the course passes a 7.30 a.m. inspection.
It is the fourth year in a row that Florida Pearl has run in the race but it is the first time the €140,000 race has Grade One status. Florida Pearl's best victories last season included the King George and the Heineken at Punchestown but history shows the horse can vulnerable first time of asking.
His only success here was in 1999 and last year he only managed third to Foxchapel King who reopposes again. Also included is the English veteran See More Business.
All three are having their seasonal debuts which, on rain softened ground, could leave them vulnerable. "The ground is not that big an issue for him at this stage of his career," said Florida Pearl's trainer Willie Mullins yesterday.
Trainer Eddie Hales brought Wicked Crack here 12 months ago and off a platry 116 rating she filled second place. This time he brings the Irish National runner-up Give Over who had a most encouraging pipe-opener over hurdles recently. Davy Russell is about to join Ferdy Murphy's yard in Britain as a professional and, at a decent price, he could get Give Over to shake up the big boys.
Today's scheduled meeting for Naas was cancelled yesterday.
