Mullins duo start Gold Cup countdown Willie Mullins today started the build-up to the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup with his star duo Florida Pearl and Alexander Banquet. Bookmakers William Hill quote the latter at 11-1 for the chasing`s blue riband after his one and a half length success over Behrajan in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown earlier this month. His stablemate is a 14-1 chance with the same firm after finishing a disappointing fourth in the same race - a contest he was bidding to land for the fourth consecutive year. That below-par effort came after the 10-year-old had put up a tremendous performance to take the King George VI Chase at Kempton on St. Stephen's Day. Mullins said today: 'They`re just riding out this morning, cantering. Florida has been out already and Alexander will be going out next lot. 'They all appear in good order. 'They`re just starting their build-up. They had a few days off after their race the other day and we`re just starting the countdown now. 'They seem to have been in great form over the weekend out in the paddocks. They`ll canter for the next few days and then do few bits of work. 'It looks a very open race but I suppose Looks Like Trouble looks the one to beat.' Ground conditions at Cheltenham are not a concern for Florida Pearl although Alexander Banquet is at his very best with plenty of cut underfoot. Mullins added: 'I`d say it would be quickish ground at Cheltenham. 'It would be very interesting to get the rainfall figures from Cheltenham because I know it has been very dry on this side of the Irish sea. 'I`d imagine the rain that fell for the Pillar Chase just ran off the track because we`d not the persistent rain to go into the track deeply. 'Florida Pearl would run regardless of the ground but if it came up very quick we`d have to have a rethink about Alexander. 'But his only aim in life has been going for the Gold Cup.' Alexander Banquet is also 12-1 second favourite with Hills for the Martell Grand National and Mullins said: 'We`re tempted to have a go but we`ll take first things first.'
