Richard Dunwoody is taking a break as he fights to be fit to ride leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Florida Pearl in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on Sunday week.

He has been on the injury list since Monday of last week but agent Robert Parsons insisted yesterday the jockey was confident he would be ready to ride at Leopardstown.

"As the situation stands, Richard is looking at returning next Wednesday, possibly at Newton Abbot," said Parsons.

"If the worst came to the worst Richard would be prepared to return to action on the day of the Hennessy, although, of course, that wouldn't be ideal."

Dunwoody was forced onto the sidelines after aggravating an old neck and shoulder injury when Princeful was brought down at Doncaster.

The setback has already cost the jockey dear, with the promising pair Kingsmark and Marlborough, both owned by Dunwoody's main retainer Robert Ogden, obliging at Kempton last Saturday.

"He's away for a few days, although I don't know exactly where he's gone," said Parsons. "But I know Richard is having plenty of physiotherapy and is planning to have more when he returns.

"I will be speaking to him again in a few days' time when we will discuss the situation further. Florida Pearl is, of course, the horse that he has been looking forward to ride more than any other this season and we're hoping he will be OK to partner him in Ireland."

Italy's beleaguered racing industry - on strike since the start of the year - has received a boost with the appointment of a new commissary of Unire (a rough equivalent to the IHA).