Review PUNCHESTOWN 24TH APR

Florida Pearl broke through the magic one million euro in total career prizemoney when justifying favouritism in the Festival feature, the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup.

Barry Geraghty's mount gave punters their only anxious moment when getting in close to the fourth last fence, but galloped on strongly from that point to beat Native Upmanship by 3L.

Alexander Banquet could never quite get on terms, and stayed on to finish a further 12L adrift in third.

'He seems to be getting more settled in his races. I hadn't been particularly pleased with him at home since Aintree, and wasn't that confident coming here,' said trainer Willie Mullins.

He also outlined plans for next season: 'I would like to start him off a little bit later next season, with the Durkan, King George, Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Martell at Aintree his targets.'

'Alexander Banquet will be aimed at the Ericsson and the Hennessy, and the Grand National is very much part of the plan.'

Florida Pearl is 25/1 with Cashmans for the 2003 Gold Cup, and 16/1 to ever win the Cheltenham feature.

Mullins was earlier on the mark with Davenport Milenium, who ended the unbeaten record of Like-A-Butterfly in the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh sent the 6yo gelding past the evens fav approaching the last, and quickly settled the issue scoring by 8L from Thari with Like-A-Butterfly weakening to finish a further 1L back in third.

'I am delighted with that performance, and have always thought a lot of him. He went off the boil a bit on heavy ground, and that's it now for this season. He will probably go novice chasing next season,' said Mullins.

Tony Mullins denied his older brother a Grade 1 treble on the afternoon when Supreme Developer beat Alexander Milenium by 1/2L in the Paddy Power Champion Bumper.

Pa Murphy's mount struck the front soon after the home turn and, despite drifting left in the closing stages, just held the renewed effort of the runner-up.

'Tony McCoy said he just didn't know enough about racing at Cheltenham. He's already schooled over hurdles, and jumps exceptionally,' said Tony Mullins.

Barry Geraghty recorded a double on the day when Torduff Boy stayed on gamely to hold off Greenstead by 1L in the 2m4f handicap chase.

Paul Carberry is just one short of joining Charlie Swan as the only National Hunt rider to partner 100 winners in a season after Old Opry caused a shock in the 2m novice hurdle.

Sheltering (Karl Wyse) just held the late surge of Ten Poundsworth by 1/2L in the Champion Hunters Chase.

Joe Blake had just joined the winner, and appeared to be travelling best, when falling four out.

Alan Magee