Pearl pleases in Punchestown work-out Florida Pearl schooled over nine fences at Punchestown this evening in the gathering gloom in preparation for Saturday`s Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal and delighted trainer Willie Mullins. 'Both Paul (Carberry) and myself are very happy with him. He warmed up over four fences with three stable companions and then worked over five fences at a decent pace,' said Mullins. Carberry will be attempting to win the race on Florida Pearl for the second time having been successful in 1999, and goes to the Northern Ireland track at the weekend having completed a double at Punchestown. Carberry was successful on favourites Woodys Blue Lagoon and Michael Mor for his boss Noel Meade and the trainer rounded off the session with victory through the impressive newcomer Woodys Deep Ocean in the bumper. Woodys Blue Lagoon was completing a hat-trick when making all the running in the Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle and will run next in a fortnight at Navan in a similar contest. Michael Mor, likewise successful last weekend in Galway, probably had luck on his side when carrying top weight in the Irish Field Novice Chase as he had been headed by Sparkling Gold when that horse tumbled two out. Adrian Maguire`s trip for just one mount on behalf of Tony Martin`s stable paid off when he defied gravity more than once in the course of the Ballymore Oil Handicap Chase to emerge in best in a tight finish on the 6-1 shot Wilton Bridge. Goss made it a winning debut over timber for local trainer Michael O`Brien and owner JP McManus when romping away with the Narraghmore Maiden Hurdle as the 2-1 favourite.
