Banquet set to return Alexander Banquet, sidelined since early February, will take his first step on the road to Cheltenham in March when he runs in the Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on Friday week.The eight-year-old was last seen in a race when he put a smart performance to run his stable companion Florida Pearl to two lengths in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown.He subsequently suffered a slight leg problem, but his trainer Willie Mullins said today: 'We have given him time and have been patient and he seems in good form at the moment.'Ruby Walsh schooled him at Punchestown the other day and I was happy with him, though he will probably need the run in the Ericsson.'Looking further ahead, Mullins added: 'The idea then is to go for the Hennessy (Cognac Gold Cup) again and then to Cheltenham.'We have just the three races planned for him, he has won around Cheltenham and I think he will get the Gold Cup trip.'Mullins confirmed that Florida Pearl is also in good form and on course for the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.He said: 'We haven`t finalised riding plans for him, but I hope that Paul (Carberry) will be available. We are not sure at this stage who will ride Alexander Banquet either.'Florida Pearl will be aiming to go one better than last year when he finished runner-up to Francois Doumen`s Fist Gold.
