Florida Pearl bids to redeem his somewhat tarnished reputation in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown next Sunday.
Willie Mullins' stable star had been the latest recipient of the "New Arkle" tag following his victory in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham in 1998.
But defeat in last season's Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup and a less than impressive campaign this term have seen his stock fall.
The gelding made a successful seasonal return in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase at Down Royal in November where he comfortably defeated Dorans Pride by two and a half lengths.
However, he was beaten in controversial circumstances at Leopardstown next time out.
Running in the Ericsson Chase on December 28, the seven-year-old looked set to cruise home when challenging Rince Ri on the bridle on the run-in.
However, when jockey Paul Carberry asked him to quicken there was little response and Rince Ri prevailed by a neck.
Carberry came in for a great deal of criticism for his ride but Mullins later revealed that his charge had suffered a setback in his build-up to the Ericsson and was not fit.
Florida Pearl failed to convince again on his latest appearance when he won the BAX Global Handicap Chase over two miles three furlongs back at Leopardstown.
Again he looked set to score comfortably but eventually scrambled home by a short-head from Amberleigh House, to whom he was giving a massive 40lb.
"He battled back well, I thought," said a relieved Mullins.
"Paul (Carberry) said he made a mistake at the third last but gave him a couple of kicks in the ribs, and he took the last two better.
"He'll be back here for the Hennessy in a couple of weeks and then the aim is Cheltenham.
"At last he's back to a bit of form and hopefully there will be no more setbacks."
That weight concession may prove to be much more significant than the visual impression of the victory and Florida Pearl may be a value price here.
He is likely to be much fitter for this Grade One contest and will not have to give away lumps of weight.
Rince Ri was touted as a horse to follow before the start of the season having won the Power Gold Cup Steeplechase at Fairyhouse last April.
Third to Foxchapel King and Buck Rogers at Navan in November, Ted Walsh's charge again found Buck Rogers too strong in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase the following month.
Rince Ri's persistence saw him defeat Florida Pearl, as well as Buck Rogers and Foxchapel King, in the Ericsson but a fully-fit Florida Pearl is likely to have too much speed for him here.
Buck Rogers bounced back from that Ericsson defeat by winning the Pierse Leopardstown Handicap Chase on his latest appearance.
Victor Bowen's charge looks likely to try and gain his revenge on Florida Pearl and Rince Ri here but he looks likely to struggle off level weights.
He has been touted as a possible for the Martell Grand National and may lack the toe to compete at the highest level.
This race could see the return of Ireland's most popular racehorse, Danoli, winner of the contest in 1997.
Tom Foley's talented but injury-prone chaser has not raced since finishing third to Dorans Pride at Gowran Park in 1998.
Foley has already warned that the gelding is likely to be short of full fitness and, at the age of 12, it would be a surprise, albeit a pleasant one, if he were to win
Britain is unlikely to have any top-class contenders for a race won by Jodami three times in the 1990s, with See More Business and Looks Like Trouble likely to be in their boxes when the race is run.
So the race looks set up for Florida Pearl, who could well start a bigger price than his ability warrants.
