Florida Pearl looked in tremendous order for a second crack at the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup as he worked on the Flat after racing at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Accompanied by three stablemates, last year's Gold Cup third held his own in two short sharp pieces of work in the hands of his usual work rider, amateur Jim Nash.
Florida Pearl was in good company - Ruby Walsh riding Alexander Banquet (bound for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase), Jason Titley on Balla Sola (Champion Hurdle and County Hurdle) and the Barry Geraghty-partnered General Cloney (Elite Racing Club Triumph Hurdle).
'That is the last bit of work away from home my Cheltenham horses will be doing. Florida Pearl seems in great shape and I am very happy with him right now,' said trainer Willie Mullins after watching nine of his charges in action.
Mullins's five in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper all went together and there was little to choose between the quintet although Adamant Approach and Tuesday looked particularly well.
Earlier, leading Bonusprint Stayers' Hurdle fancy Limestone Lad had led a posse of horses in a more serious two-mile gallop on the Flat with owner-trainer Jim Bowe's son Michael in the saddle.
'That did him a world of good and he feels as strong as a bull,' Bowe junior remarked after he had passed the post in front, closely pursued by Charlie Swan on Topacio who Pat Hughes will saddle for the Triumph Hurdle.
Swan also rode His Song, who has a choice of Festival entries, in a piece of work on the Flat while Queen Mother Champion Chase hope Space Trucker went over fences with Grand National hero Bobbyjo and the Tony Martin-trained and ridden It's Himself (Christie's Foxhunter Chase).
Space Trucker, winner of the Grand Annual Chase at last year's Festival, schooled over fences for the first time in blinkers with regular partner Shay Barry aboard.
'He settled well in the blinkers which I think will sharpen him up and get him jumping quicker in the early stages of the Champion Chase,' said trainer Jessica Harrington.
