RACING: Adrian MaGuire has committed himself to riding Florida Pearl in the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup. The top jockey rode the Willie Mullins-trained star to finish a disappointing fourth in Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup but previously had won the King George VI Chase on the horse.
Maguire's commitments to the Gold Cup outsider Paris Pike had left his Cheltenham plans uncertain but they are now sorted out. "We cleared it up this morning. We talked and Adrian told me he will be free," Mullins said yesterday.
Midweek racing gets back to normal at Down Royal this afternoon with no weather problems expected and no inspection planned.
Down Royal manager Mike Todd said yesterday he anticipated few problems.
Conor O'Dwyer can return to winning ways on Big-And-Bold in the Beginners Chase and those looking to double up could do worse than Pisces in the bumper.
Royal Tilande ran Dantes Reef to half a length over two miles here in January but the combination of a further half mile and heavy ground can help him go one further.
