Racing News and Navan preview: Florida Pearl's season might not be over just yet despite the injury that prevented the veteran from running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Trainer Willie Mullins hasn't ruled out Florida Pearl making a comeback in the Heineken Gold Cup at the Punchestown festival next month.
"I suppose it is unlikely but we are hoping against hope he might make Punchestown. We haven't drawn a line under his season just yet," Mullins acknowledged yesterday.
Florida Pearl missed out on Cheltenham when a leg injury struck after his memorable triumph in the Hennessy Gold Cup.
"There is a problem there but these things can clear up and he appears fine. I would say the odds are against us but we will take another look closer to the time," Mullins added.
First of all the Co Carlow trainer will be looking to next Saturday's Aintree Grand National where he plans to run both Alexander Banquet and the 10 to 1 ante-post-favourite, Hedgehunter.
Mullins could also run the enigmatic Holy Orders in the Martell Hurdle while other possible representatives include Castle Weir in the Foxhunters and Arch Stanton and Diego Garcia in novice hurdles.
Silk Screen is another Aintree entry for Mullins but first of all he pitches the four-year-old into the opening novice hurdle at Navan this afternoon.
Silk Screen has only run twice over flights and just got off the mark at Gowran a month ago.
There should be improvement from that and he is taken to account for his fellow-four-year olds, Definate Spectacle and Corrib Boy.
Strong Run, Barrow Drive and Rathgar Beau have their first starts since the Cheltenham festival in the Grade Three Chase but this looks good for a horse who didn't travel to Britain.
The two-and-a-half miles trip appears to be ideal for Jim who beat Boneyarrow at Naas after just failing to True Blue Victory here over the minimum journey.
Direct Bearing has had two starts in Grade One company since winning his first start over fences but looks to be in more suitable company today.
And The Parishioner should relish the course and distance of the novice hurdle.
