Florida Pearl is gearing up for an attempt to make history in Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup but his trainer Willie Mullins admits his preparation has been less than perfect.
A total of three previous victories in the race (1999-2001) meant Florida Pearl emulated Jodami who was also a triple-Hennessy winner (1993-1995.) Jodami later finished runner-up to Danoli in 1997 but one place better than that will leave the Irish star out on his own in the 16-year history of the race.
Florida Pearl was ridden by three different jockeys in his previous wins and this time it will be Barry Geraghty who will take the responsibility in the saddle.
Mullins himself is going for a remarkable five in a row in the Hennessy after Alexander Banquet's success last year. However, he injected a note of caution yesterday. "Florida Pearl should be fit enough but you would have to say the preparation he has had has not been ideal. It has not been the way we would like it," Mullins said.
The horse hasn't won in just two starts this season and a number of intended targets have had to be abandoned due to various problems.
Mullins also said he would rather Leopardstown missed out on any more rain before Sunday's big race. The going at the track remains soft.
Other Hennessy updates centred on the second favourite Colonel Braxton, on whom Norman Williamson will take over from Kieran Kelly. The latter rode the horse to victory on his last start at Fairyhouse over two miles.
Both Harbour Pilot and Rince Ri were marginal drifters in the ante-post market, with Paddy Power lengthening the latter to 13 to 2 and Harbour Pilot to 5 to 1.
In other news yesterday Willie Mullins said he is considering the Champion Hurdle option with Adamant Approach but the Arkle Trophy remains the nine-year-old's most likely festival option.
"I imagine it will be the Arkle but the Champion Hurdle has been in the back of our minds and we will certainly leave him in it," Mullins explained.
The Paddy Power Hennessy bettingis: 5-4 Beef Or Salmon 7-2 Colonel Braxton 4 Florida Pearl 5 Harbour Pilot 13-2 Rince Ri 33 Macs Gildoran 40 Be My Belle.
This afternoon's action at Clonmel features an intriguing runner in the six-year-old maiden hurdle.
The Ballymacoll-bred Air Marshall was runner up to Millenary in the St Leger three years ago and before that beat the subsequent Arc hero Marienbard in the Group Two Great Voltigeur at York.
Air Marshall hasn't run in almost two years since being tailed off in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket but considering he ran off a mark of 115 in that, Tony Mullins has a very interesting recruit to jumping.
A number of talented horses go in the two-and-a-half mile chase, including The Premier Cat and I'vehadit, who fought out a thriller at Naas last time.
Risk Acessor is another hot item here but the hottest should be Ross Moff, who is top-rated on 130 and yet gets the allowances.
Emmet, a dead-heater at Fairyhouse and a smooth winner at Thurles last week, goes for the hat-trick in the novice hurdle and looks up to beating Azur Tonic.
