Mullins pair set for Hennessy Willie Mullins reports that both his Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup hopes Florida Pearl and Alexander Banquet are on track for the Festival meeting.On his last outing Florida Pearl lifted the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton while Alexander Banquet finished a good third to Foxchapel King in the Ericsson Chase after a long lay-off.The pair are now set to have their next runs in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 10th which Florida Pearl has won for the past three years.Conditions for the three-mile event are likely to be testing but Mullins is not intending to change his running plans yet.He said: 'Both are in good form and they are going to run, hopefully, in the Irish Hennessy.'Florida Pearl has won on that sort of ground before but I would prefer better ground for him. It will suit Alexander Banquet a lot better so we are quite happy.'Alexander Banquet, runner-up to Florida Pearl in the Irish Hennessy 12 months ago, also holds an entryfor the Ritz Club Ascot Chase on February 16th but Mullins says the race at Leopardstown is the target.He added: 'The Hennessy will definitely be the first option for him so unless something untoward happens he will run in that race.'
